HANDOUT PHOTO/FILE Shawn Baldhead is seen in this handout photo. Baldhead pled guily in August 2017 to sexual assault, robbery and kidnapping of a cab driver in November 2016. The victim read her impact statement in court on Wednesday, July 17, 2018. Baldhead's sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 21.
Southern Alberta Newspapers
A taxi driver who in 2016 was sexually assaulted, robbed, kidnapped and taken to Calgary by a man posing as a fare was held by her two daughters Tuesday as she cried during her victim impact statement at Medicine Hat Provincial Court.
The woman said she thought she was simply helping somebody out when picking up a man she thought was a routine customer on Nov. 24, 2016.
Shawn Baldhead, who pled guilty to sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping and two breaches of court orders in August 2017, had asked the victim to pull over so he could take out some cash.
When he returned to the vehicle, Baldhead choked and punched the taxi driver, chipping her tooth before forcing her to perform fellatio on him.
“It’s embarrassing to smile now,” she said in her statement.
Baldhead then took over the taxi, driving to Calgary.
“I would think of opening the door and jumping out on the highway,” the victim said, adding that her love for her grandchildren stopped her from this potentially suicidal act.
The perpetrator eventually let her go, but stole her tablet, phone and GPS, which the Crown estimates is worth a combined $900.
She said since the incident, she has lived in constant fear of running into Baldhead.
“I couldn’t go anywhere by myself,” she said. “I couldn’t do yardwork without having a panic attack.”
The victim added she’s seeing a psychiatrist to deal with trauma stemming from the event, and is on five medications to help her sleep.
One of her daughters provided her own impact statement.
She described the victim as her “best friend,” telling Baldhead that her mother will never be the same again.
“I thank you for letting my mom go, but I can never forgive you,” she said.
Baldhead was given the opportunity to address the court, which he used to apologize to the victim.
“I had no right to do what I did,” he said.
Defence lawyer Robin McIntyre asked Judge Eric Brooks for a sentence of four years and eight months — two years for the sexual assault, two years for the robbery, six months for the kidnapping and one month per each of the two breaches.
She cited his guilty plea as a mitigating factor, as it indicates an acceptance of wrongdoing and spares the victim the need to testify and go under cross-examination.
The defence also had a Gladue report prepared for Baldhead, which detailed his history of involvement with the Native Syndicate gang, history of addiction, homelessness and “lack of parental support.”
A Gladue report is a type of pre-sentencing report for offenders of aboriginal heritage that look at factors, such as residential schools, racism and substance abuse, to paint a fuller picture of the accused’s situation.
There was also a psychological assessment done of Baldhead, which indicated he suffers from anti-social personality disorder and that he is at a moderate risk to re-offend sexually and high risk to re-offend violently.
The Crown asked for a sentence of nine years — four years for the sexual assault, one year for kidnapping, four years for robbery and three months served concurrently for each breach.
They cited his high risk of violently re-offending, the victim’s vulnerability and the fact the crime occurred over the span of four hours as aggravating factors.
Baldhead’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 21.
