Hepatitis C man gets prison sentence for stabbing store employee with needle

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – Stabbing a store employee with a dirty needle has netted a Kamloops, B.C., man with hepatitis C more than two years in prison.

Jonathon Fernandez was sentenced Monday to 31 months after being found guilty of aggravated assault.

B.C. Supreme Court heard Fernandez, 42, tried to steal back cream in March, when he was followed out of a store by a loss-prevention officer.

When confronted, Fernandez pulled a needle on the worker and started swinging.

The employee was struck in his left palm, where the needle became embedded.

Fernandez was eventually subdued and arrested by police.

Crown lawyer Joel Gold said the loss-prevention officer took medication for 28 days and that doctors are still monitoring him.

“You’ve got the potential of transference of life-threatening diseases, you’ve got the anxiety of the victim,” Gold said.

“The good news is that he’s so far clear and the hope is that will continue to be the case.”

Court heard Fernandez has a lengthy criminal history with more than 40 convictions, including seven for violent offences.

Justice Dev Dley handed Fernandez also handed Fernandez one year of probation.

“I’m terrified of going to a federal penitentiary,” Fernandez said in court. “I’ve heard stories of what goes on in there. I’m scared to death but, at the same time, I’m a God-fearing man and I’ll go down whatever road the Lord has chosen for me.” (Kamloops This Week)