Short jail sentence for homeless man who caused multiple disturbances

By Medicine Hat News on April 30, 2025.

@MedicineHatNews

A man who forced his way into a music festival at a church and also disrupted two businesses in Medicine Hat will spend a total of 45 days in jail, Court of Justice heard Tuesday.

Police say Marial Mayiik Jok twice attended a downtown coffee shop this month, once while on court order to avoid the location, and threw gift cards, garbage and his belongings, leading to a police response.

Defence counsel said that Jok is homeless and suffers recurring trauma from serving as a child soldier in Sudan as a youth.

On joint recommendation from the Crown he was sentenced to 60 days in jail, but will be given one and a half times credit after spending 40 days already in custody. An additional five days in custody began Tuesday.

Court heard that on March 2, he “shouldered” his way past an elderly attendant at a downtown church where a music event was taking place. Once inside he picked up a cash box for the event, then had a physical altercation with a police officer who was dispatched to the scene.

Charged with assault, resisting arrest and interfering with property, he returned the to the church the next morning was again charged.

Court also heard that on Feb. 14, he entered a salon in Brooks and made a series of sexually suggestive comments to staff until RCMP were called.

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