COUNTY - A man who repeatedly stabbed the bedding around his girlfriend's head with a knife while holding her down when he was on a cocaine high nearly two years ago is now spending his weekends in jail.

 George Edward Stoodley was sentenced to 90 days in custody August 31. However, the 34 year old will be allowed to serve his time on weekends so he can attend the Nova Scotia Community College, what his lawyer called "a one-shot opportunity" to turn his life around.

 The refrigeration program is being funded through Employment Insurance on the recommendation of Mr. Stoodley's boss. Once he finishes the course, he'll return to work at the Halifax Forum.

 Mr. Stoodley was living in Bridgewater in September 2008 when he and his girlfriend went on a cocaine binge with her student loan money.

 Defence lawyer Alan Ferrier told the court it was a drug binge beyond his comprehension. The couple spent days using crack cocaine and already had a troubled, on-again-off-again relationship.

 Mr. Stoodley was convicted of assaulting the woman with a knife in July following a trial. Judge Richard MacKinnon concluded Mr. Stoodley sat on top of the woman on a bed, stabbing around her head on September 26, 2008.

 The woman read a victim impact statement in court late last month, saying she suffered ongoing nightmares from the event, dreaming that Mr. Stoodley was trying to kill her. She slept with her mother and had her put extra locks on the doors. She was afraid to go out alone and was off work for a period of time.

 She said she continues to have nightmares about the events.

 Crown attorney Paul Scovil said the crime should attract at least six months in jail.

 "The victim was accosted with a knife which was brandished and used against her," he said.

 The defence countered that Mr. Stoodley would lose his educational opportunity if he was jailed. Mr. Ferrier also spoke about the "gruesome beginnings" of his client's life, saying he was shuffled between foster homes as a child after his mother killed his father when Mr. Stoodley was just 11 months old.

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 Mr. Stoodley was a colicky baby and his father was physical with him. His mother intervened and stabbed his father to death. She went on trial in Newfoundland, where the stabbing happened. She was acquitted, but Mr. Stoodley was put in foster care.

 Mr. Ferrier said a "horrendous upbringing" led Mr. Stoodley to abuse alcohol and drugs, but he's finally starting to get his life in order. He's in a new relationship and has a young child.

 In the end, Judge MacKinnon sentenced Mr. Stoodley to serve 90 days on weekends and placed him on probation for two years. During that time, he must stay away from his former girlfriend and her family and take counselling as directed. He must stay clear of alcohol, drugs and weapons.

posted on 09/07/10