Judge sentences P.E.I. man for crimes that had 'profound impact' on mother of his 2 children

A Prince Edward Island judge has sentenced Andrew Blaisdell to 31 months in custody, minus credit for time already served, for a series of crimes including some involving his estranged partner and their children.

Blaisdell had earlier pleaded guilty to eight counts, including assault with a weapon, careless use of a firearm, possessing a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm while prohibited, theft of a motor vehicle, and three counts of failing to comply with court orders.

"You have acknowledged that the mother of your children and that your children have, in your words, suffered a lot... and that you — again in your words — owe it to your children to do better," Supreme Court Chief Justice Tracey Clements told Blaisdell in a Charlottetown courtroom on Wednesday. 

"And I would say that you do owe it to them to do better." 

The sentence was based on a joint recommendation from the Crown and defence, to which Clements agreed.

There was no information on how much more time Blaisdell will spend in custody, but it won't be much. The judge noted that he will be out in time to be able to work during the spring fishing season.

Blaisdell was ordered to have no contact with his estranged partner, and can only contact his daughter through arrangements approved by the provincial director of child protection.

His sentence includes a lifetime prohibition on owning weapons and will have his DNA entered in the national offender registry.

A frightening night

Early on June 20, 2023, Blaisdell showed up at the eastern P.E.I. home of the mother of his two children. An agreed statement of facts in the case said he was on drugs, paranoid and carrying a shotgun, which he pushed against the woman's chest at one point. 

That caused her to run out of the house without a coat or shoes and hide in nearby woods until police arrived in response to a 911 call from their adult son.

By that time, Blaisdell had driven off with their young daughter, spurring a provincewide Amber Alert. GPS tracking allowed officers to find the pair at a home near Souris; the girl was unhurt. 

Her father was arrested and held in custody until a brief release in September of that year, when he committed more crimes that included stealing a vehicle.

Blaisdell also violated a judge's order not to contact his adult son, repeatedly encouraging him during a phone call not to testify against him.

'Recurring trauma'

On Wednesday, Clements referred to the victim impact statement from the mother of Blaisdell's children, noting the "profound impact" the matter has had on her and their daughter, including "significant physical, financial, mental and emotional impact."

Clements said the woman described lingering "fear and anxiety, feeling paranoid and recurring trauma," and said both mother and daughter suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

The victim described a "multitude of losses including loss of her sense of security, significant trust issues and a profound sense of betrayal," according to the judge, who said the incident left the family "in shambles."

Clements noted Blaisdell had a significant criminal record including a "multitude of offences," some of them violent in nature, but she also noted there were periods of his life where Blaisdell was not charged with any offences.

Children spared from testifying

The judge noted that, according to the Crown, Blaisdell's offending behaviour stems from "untreated mental health issues and drug abuse," something the Crown said can be addressed during his probationary period.

And she noted that Blaisdell's decision to plead guilty meant his children were spared from having to testify in court against their father.

However, Clements described Blaisdell trying to convince his son not to testify as an attempt to interfere in the administration of justice, saying it was "troubling" of the man "to have put your son in that position."

But she also noted Blaisdell had apologized in court, taken responsibility for his actions, and said this would never happen again.