Delon Shurtz
lethbridge herald
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
A 32-year-old man who assaulted three women last October was sentenced to time served and released following his sentencing Monday in Lethbridge provincial court.
Nadir Louis Kumbobako pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and was sentenced to 122 days in jail, the time he had already served in custody since his arrest Oct. 13, 2012.
Court was told the first assault occurred Oct. 10 when Kumbobako grabbed a woman who was "plying her trade" in the London Road area. When she refused to comply with his demands, he head-butted her in the face.
The second assault occurred the following night when the accused picked up a prostitute downtown and drove her to a field just outside of Picture Butte. When she refused his demands, he "shook her back and forth" until she fell out of the vehicle. He left her in the field and drove off.
Later that same night, Kumbobako approached a woman who was standing at a downtown bus shelter and asked her for directions to a bank. Afterward, when he suggested she leave with him and she refused, he "scooped her up like a baby," and carried her across the street where he pinned her up against a building before she managed to get away.
The woman, as well as one of the previous victims, later identified him in a police lineup.
Defence told court the accused has a child and wife in Brooks, and he is trying to bring two children to Canada from Africa. But because he's been in custody since his arrest, he has been unable to support his wife and child or help his other children immigrate. His lawyer didn't explain, however, why her client committed the assaults.
"It certainly has an unexplained element," Judge Eric Peterson said.
Peterson also placed Kumbobako on probation for nine months, and ordered him to take counselling if directed by his probation officer.
Additional charges of unlawful confinement, sexual assault, choking, and breach of conditions were withdrawn.