ARCTIC OBITER

NOVEMBER 2009 | 23
Kraft Dinner: It's been around for decades and millions
of moms can't be wrong. Don't be afraid to serve it and
don't try and be supermom and make authentic mac and
cheese. The kids will likely prefer KD, and a hot meal is a
hot meal.
Ichiban Noodles: Millions of Japanese moms can't be
wrong. See number 5, above.
Celery stalks and Carrots: These make great "sword
fighting" props to occupy the kids while you are busily
preparing the nutritious hot meals above.
Spray Whipped Cream: This is an excellent way to bribe
or cajole the kids into all kinds of things, from putting on
their mittens to letting you use the computer for just ten
minutes. It also makes a great instant dessert and if you let
your kids spray it directly into their mouths, you need not
worry about dirty dishes.
Children's Ibuprofen: You can keep your child's fever
at bay for at least eight hours while you go to work.
Chilled White Wine and a Wheel of Brie: After you
get the kids in bed, have a glass and a slice and
relax. You can help yourself to the whipped cream as well.
You get to do it all again the next day.
Your Best Friend's Cell Number: Keep it on speed
dial and use it when things get rough. Don't be
afraid to ask for a free meal or even some company to help
you laugh at the fact that you're not Martha Stewart or June
Cleaver.
Karan Shaner is Assistant Deputy Minister of Justice for the Northwest
Territories. She is also a full-time mother of two. Dispatches is an
excerpt from her blog, “Dispatches from the Failed Mommies Club and
Other Musings of a Middle-Aged, Working Mother”
(www.failedmommy.com).
NWT DECISION DIGEST
NOTE: THERE ARE ONLY FOUR NWTSC CASES
THIS MONTH, AND THE DECISIONS FOR
THREE OF THE FOUR HAVE NOT BEEN
PUBLISHED DUE TO PUBLICATION BANS. NO
TERRITORIAL COURT CASES HAVE BEEN
REPORTED.
SUPREME COURT OF
THE NORTHWEST
TERRITORIES
SENTENCING
R. v. Nelson
2009 NWTSC 68 | October 30, 2009
Presiding: Mme Justice L. A. Charbonneau
For the Crown: J. Walsh
For the Defence: M. Hansen
The accused pled guilty to one charge of
break & enter and committing an
indictable offence therein (s. 348(1)(b)).
He was intoxicated and broke into his
elderly aunt's house in the middle of the
night, stole the jacket that she was using
for a pillow as she had been sleeping on
a couch, and $80 inside the jacket, and
made lewd suggestions to his aunt. She
was very frightened.
Factors in sentencing: The accused is
Aboriginal with a childhood history of
abuse (the reasons for decision do not
reveal the accused's age or employment
status). A lengthy criminal record of 20
years including break & enter and
assault convictions. Credit was given
for the early guilty plea entered
immediately after the preliminary
hearing because the Crown needed
more time to determine its position on
sentencing. Aggravating factors are the
age of the victim and the nature of the
accused's behaviour toward the victim
during the break -in. Jail is necessary to
address the principles of denunciation
and deterrence.
Sentence: 9 months imprisonment in
addition to 10 months' credit for the 6
months spent on remand, probation of
18 months from the date of release with
conditions of no contact with the aunt
except with her consent/initiation and
no contact absolutely when under the
influence of alcohol or other intoxicants;
additional order for restitution for the
$80 within six months of release from
jail; a DNA order; and no victim of
crime surcharge.