A 74-year-old man who was savagely beaten while taking a daytime stroll in Maffeo Sutton Park is recovering from a broken shoulder, while the man who assaulted and robbed him was sentenced to one year in prison Tuesday.
Keith Prince, 18, was held in police custody after being arrested at his residence several hours after the Jan. 7 attack.
Prince accepted guilt to the robbery in court and, along with jail time, is on probation for two years and is also banned from being in possession of firearms. He was also ordered to provide a DNA sample and a $100 victim surcharge.
An assault charge was stayed.
A 17-year-old male suspect who allegedly took part in the assault is awaiting sentencing.
He cannot be identified in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
A third man allegedly involved in the incident originally charged with robbery and assault causing bodily harm had his charges stayed. Both suspects were apprehended by police on Townsite Road 20 minutes after the attack took place.
Nanaimo RCMP said the victim was walking in Maffeo Sutton Park at 2:45 p.m. when he was approached by the three men who asked him for a cigarette. After informing them he didn't smoke, he continued walking along a path that led him under the Pearson Bridge. It was there he was attacked from behind, punched, kicked and robbed of $30.
A witness scared the attackers off, called 911 and stayed with the victim until assistance arrived. The victim is expected to undergo months of rehabilitation for his injuries.
reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com