More jail required for drug seller with tough childhood

By Peggy Revell on March 22, 2018.

prevell@medicinehatnews.com @MHNprevell

A 21-month sentence was handed down Wednesday to a 25-year-old man who pled guilty to drug trafficking charges last fall.

Wrayne Wawia has six months of that sentence left to serve due to time already spent in custody, followed by 18 months of probation.

The charges stem back to a May 2017 investigation where undercover officers made multiple purchases from Wawia, including 8.56 grams of meth for $300, 6.92 grams of meth for another $300, 15.05 grams of cocaine for $1,800 and 22 grams of a substance that Wawia presented as being cocaine but actually wasn’t.

Sentencing was delayed until now so a Gladue and pre-sentencing report could be put together for consideration.

Aggravating factors outlined by the Crown included the number of transactions, the increased amounts of drugs being sold and the type of drugs being sold.

But the presentencing report also spoke of mitigating factors — namely Wawia’s own upbringing, where his mother was an addict and from as young as the age of nine he had lived in crackhouses and been taught to sell drugs.

“Obviously we have an individual who has been severely disadvantaged with respect to his upbringing,” said defence counsel Mark Crarer, speaking on the intergenerational trauma carried down from his mother, who is currently serving a jail sentence for trafficking drugs.

“He still has the opportunity to rehabilitate himself,” said counsel, adding Wawia is remorseful, is looking to address his addictions issues and move to be with his grandmother who will provide a stable environment.

“That’s for the future though — with the seriousness of the offences, you need to spend some more time in custody,” said Dietrich Brand in giving a sentencing decision, adding the additional time in custody will give Wawia the chance to make preparations for when he is released.

While Brand acknowledged Wawia’s history, he emphasized it’s up to the accused to take responsibility for his choices, and make the decision to fight his addiction.

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