Northern Ont. suspect sentenced to house arrest five days before vicious attack on ex-girlfriend

An 18-year-old man accused of brutally attacking his ex-girlfriend in Cobalt last week was sentenced to house arrest five days before the Nov. 3 attack.

A section of Prospect Street in Cobalt at the Upper Helen intersection is closed by police. (November 3, 2024)

Court documents obtained by CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca show Philip Gagnon of Haileybury pleaded guilty on Oct. 29 to trespassing and assaulting a man on May 11. His third charge was dropped from the case for breaking the victim's glasses.

Also, on October 29, Gagnon was sentenced to two concurrent sentences of 60 days of suspended imprisonment, 18 months of probation, two years of weapons prohibition and the provision of a DNA sample.

The conditions of his house arrest allowed him to leave the house every Sunday between 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to get the necessities of life. He was also allowed to leave the house for medical emergencies, going to school, work, court, religious services, counseling sessions and treatment.

Gagnon was also ordered to participate in anger management and alcohol abuse programs for the May assault.

Violent behavior increases
His ex-girlfriend, 16-year-old Kaylee Smith, was attacked after getting off the bus in Cobalt around 6pm on November 3.

Gagnon is accused of hitting him with a car and then attacking him with a sword and cutting off his left hand. Because of this, he has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, carrying a weapon and violating probation.

The police have identified this incident as intimate partner violence. He was arrested on the night of the attack and kept in North Bay prison.

Gagnon appeared in court via video Tuesday morning in an orange suit. His case at the request of his lawyer, Mr. R. Davis," who said he was waiting for documents, was adjourned for two weeks.

At the request of the family, the name of the victim is included in the report. Smith suffered multiple injuries and underwent 16-hour brain surgery and is currently in stable condition at an Ottawa hospital.

Dozens of supporters held placards reading "Justice for Keeley" outside Haileybury Court and called for Gagnon to be denied bail.

The issue of bail was not raised in this court session and Gagnon remained in custody.

The charges against him on November 3 have not yet been proven in court.

Help is available
Free, confidential support is available for people experiencing violence. In case of emergency, call 911.

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