Dustin Paxton smirks as victim describes living in fear
Dustin Paxton smirked and shook his head at times as the man he repeatedly physically and sexually assaulted gave his victim impact statement Wednesday in a Calgary courtroom.
"I don't want to live the rest of my life in fear, I want to make sure no one has to suffer like me," the victim said.
"It's frustrating and scary to have to live the rest of my life with the scars and the memories of the attacks."
The man, who cannot be identified under court order, made the remarks during the final arguments of Paxton's dangerous offender hearing.
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Paxton was convicted last year of aggravated and sexual assault against his former business partner and roommate.
The beaten and emaciated victim was dropped off at a Regina hospital in April 2010 weighing 87 pounds, suffering from several broken bones and a mutilated face.
Dressed all in black, Paxton’s victim read slowly from a statement. He said he has post-traumatic stress disorder, a severe brain injury, trouble sleeping and anxiety around ordinary household items such as dog leashes and extension cords, which Paxton used to beat him.
"I have to take special medication twice a day to keep stress under control," he said.
The man said he is unable to work and still needs more reconstructive surgery on his face.
He told court his brain injuries make it hard for him to eat and drink and his disfigured appearance makes him unattractive to women.
"There's a big question mark hanging over my head. I live in perpetual confusion and fear," he said.
Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Sheilah Martin, who presided over Paxton's trial in 2012, has been hearing final arguments from Crown and defence counsel over the last two days.
If he is labelled a dangerous offender, Paxton could be locked up indefinitely.
Crown lawyer Julie Morgan told court on Tuesday that Paxton fits the criteria for that designation.
The Crown is seeking a 15- to 18-year prison term plus 10 years of community supervision if Martin does not label Paxton a dangerous offender.
Defence lawyer Jim Lutz suggested Paxton can be rehabilitated, and that he should be sentenced to eight years.
Paxton told the court he is committed to getting help, but did not apologize to his victim for assaulting him over an 18-month period.
"I'm fully committed to the regime of counselling and programming that is essential to my rehabilitation," he said.
The matter will be back in court on Oct. 31 when a date will be set for the judge's ruling.
