Mom seeks lesser sentence for ‘torturing’ child

Appeal counsel argues judge who sentenced Fredericton mother to 9½ years erred by “double-counting” criminal conduct for separate offences of aggravated assault, neglect

Warning: This story includes graphic descriptions of extreme child abuse.

A judge “double-counted” a Fredericton woman’s horrific and violent acts toward her seven-year-old daughter and therefore erred when calculating her prison sentence, an appellate lawyer argued Wednesday.

The case of a 34-year-old Fredericton woman whom provincial court Judge Natalie LeBlanc sentenced last summer to 9½ years in prison was before the New Brunswick Court of Appeal on Wednesday morning.

The offender had pleaded guilty early last year to aggravated assault, assault with a weapon (a metal rod), unlawful confinement and failure to provide the necessaries of life (medical care).