The man convicted in the drunk driving crash that led to the death of West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett has been granted day parole for six months.

Kenneth Fenton was given a five-and-a-half year prison sentence in July 2017.

Beckett, 32, was killed in the line of duty in April 2016 when Fenton, who was speeding away from another police car, struck the driverB次元官网网址檚 side of her cruiser. Beckett, a mother of two boys, had recently returned to work after maternity leave.

FentonB次元官网网址檚 first parole hearing was Jan. 21. He was granted limited day parole to attend alcohol abuse treatment in the Fraser Valley in a program that would last about 70 days.

At the time, BeckettB次元官网网址檚 widower Brad Aschenbrenner said Fenton needed treatment but felt disgusted that he was let out to receive it.

Now, Aschenbrenner said he is still disgusted and is looking to local politicians for an answer as to why Fenton was granted parole.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just absolutely disgusted on how Canada can have these values,B次元官网网址� Aschenbrenner told Black Press Media in a phone interview Saturday, calling FentonB次元官网网址檚 punishment B次元官网网址渁 slap on the wrist.B次元官网网址�

FentonB次元官网网址檚 trial heard his truck was travelling at up to 90 kilometres per hour when it rammed BeckettB次元官网网址檚 cruiser at a Langford intersection. He later pleaded guilty to charges relating to driving with a blood alcohol content of over 0.08, causing an accident resulting in bodily harm, as well as failing to stop for police.

One month after the crash, Fenton lost control of his vehicle again while impaired by alcohol and speeding away from police. His vehicle rolled over and he caused injury to himself and a passenger.

READ ALSO: Driver convicted in death of Const. Sarah Beckett granted partial parole

Aschenbrenner said he knew Fenton was due for another parole hearing this week, but after providing an impact statement he found out Fenton withdrew his right to a panel hearing.

As a result, the Parole Board of Canada conducted a paper review of FentonB次元官网网址檚 file and informed Aschenbrenner of the decision that was made in-camera. Aschenbrenner said he believes the family should have a right to be there during the process.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 understand why any criminal should have the right to a closed-door hearing,B次元官网网址� Aschenbrenner said.

The Parole Board of Canada granted Fenton day parole for six months with special conditions. Fenton must return to the facility he is currently in nightly. He will need to demonstrate a period of stability and compliance before any overnight leave is considered.

READ ALSO: Husband of slain RCMP officer B次元官网网址榙isgusted and disheartenedB次元官网网址� by parole board

Additionally, Fenton must not consume, purchase or possess alcohol and drugs other than prescribed medication.

He must not have direct or indirect contact with BeckettB次元官网网址檚 family, friends or co-workers and he must report all intimate relationships and friendships with females to his supervisor. In fact, he canB次元官网网址檛 enter West Shore communities including Colwood, Metchosin, Langford or Sooke.

He canB次元官网网址檛 own or operate a motor vehicle and Fenton must follow a treatment plan or program arranged by his parole supervisor.

According to the Parole Board of Canada decision, the board considered FentonB次元官网网址檚 sentence and the incidents that led to his incarceration as well as victim impact statements.

B次元官网网址淭hese statements express the trauma and loss that the family of the deceased officer, wife, mother and daughter experienced at the time of death and onward,B次元官网网址� the decision reads. B次元官网网址淭hey reflect the shock of the community. Serious harm occurred.B次元官网网址�

The decision also stated Fenton demonstrated B次元官网网址渁 disregard for the safety of others for a long time prior to the index offenceB次元官网网址� with reports noting his drunk driving increased in severity over time. FentonB次元官网网址檚 file also said he has had issues with alcohol abuse for most of his adult life, using alcohol to cope with the suicides of his friends.

B次元官网网址淏ut he has yet to accept responsibility of his actions,B次元官网网址� Aschenbrenner said.

In his personal impact statement, Aschenbrenner notes FentonB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渋rresponsibleB次元官网网址� behaviour dating back to 2010, stating that had he been held accountable for earlier offences, Beckett may not have been killed.

B次元官网网址淭his did not only affect me, my boys, my family, it has completely torn apart the West Shore detachment,B次元官网网址� his statement read.

B次元官网网址淓specially when the courts have failed them up to this point. Driving through that intersection reliving the video of the first responders pulling my wifeB次元官网网址檚 broken body from her cruise is unbearable.

B次元官网网址淗ow do you think all the other first responders think driving through that intersection? And they have to do it every day.B次元官网网址�

shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com

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