R. v. Wicken (D.S.), 2003 ABPC 6

• Judge: Semenuk, P.C.J.
• Court: Provincial Court of Alberta (Canada)
• Case Date: January 21, 2003
• Citations: 2003 ABPC 6;(2003), 341 A.R. 155 (PC)

R. v. Wicken (D.S.) (2003), 341 A.R. 155 (PC)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2003] A.R. TBEd. FE.078

Her Majesty the Queen v. David Stanley Wicken

(No. 020636916P101001,01002; 2003 ABPC 6)

Indexed As: R. v. Wicken (D.S.)

Alberta Provincial Court

Semenuk, P.C.J.

January 21, 2003.

Summary:

The accused was charged with (1) causing a disturbance in or near a public place by swearing, and (2) committing mischief by damaging the complainant's truck

The Alberta Provincial Court acquitted the accused on both counts. The court stated that although the accused was "upset" and "annoyed" at the complainant, it was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused, while intoxicated, swore at the complainant or damaged the complainant's truck.

Criminal Law - Topic 751

Disorderly conduct - Causing a public disturbance - The accused wanted the complainant to remove his truck from in front of the accused's house - The accused used, allegedly, the expression "Move your fucking truck off the street or I'll kill you" and the words "fucking truck" and "asshole" - The complainant became emotionally upset with the accused's behaviour and called the RCMP - The accused was charged with causing a disturbance in or near a public place by swearing - The Alberta Provincial Court acquitted the accused where: (1) the words used did not constitute swearing; and (2) the personal emotional upset of the complainant inside his private residence was not sufficient to constitute a "disturbance" in or near a public place contrary to s. 175(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.

Words and Phrases

Swearing - The Alberta Provincial Court discussed the meaning of the word "swearing" found in s. 175(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46 - See paragraphs 8 to 26.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Enns (1968), 5 C.R.N.S. 115 (Sask. Dist. Ct.), consd. [para. 9].

R. v. Clothier (1975), 13 N.S.R.(2d) 141; 9 A.P.R. 141 (C.A.), consd. [para. 9].

R. v. Chikoski (1973), 14 C.C.C.(2d) 38 (Ont. Prov. Ct.), consd. [para. 9].

R. v. Rent, [1993] N.B.J. No. 382 (Prov. Ct.), consd. [para. 9].

R. v. Stewart (B.P.) (1994), 155 N.B.R.(2d) 231; 398 A.P.R. 231 (T.D.), consd. [para. 9].

R. v. Lohnes, [1992] 1 S.C.R. 167; 132 N.R. 297; 109 N.S.R.(2d) 145; 297 A.P.R. 145; 69 C.C.C.(3d) 289, consd. [para. 27].

R. v. Lawrence (R.C.) (1992), 132 A.R. 194; 74 C.C.C.(3d) 495 (Q.B.), affd. (1993), 141 A.R. 183; 46 W.A.C. 183; 81 C.C.C.(3d) 159 (C.A.), consd. [para. 27].

R. v. Terrigno (M.) (1995), 175 A.R. 100; 101 C.C.C.(3d) 346 (Prov. Ct.), consd. [para. 27].

R. v. J.G.V.B. (2002), 205 N.S.R.(2d) 391; 643 A.P.R. 391; 165 C.C.C.(3d) 494 (C.A.), consd. [para. 27].

R. v. D.W., [1991] 1 S.C.R. 742; 122 N.R. 277; 46 O.A.C. 352; 63 C.C.C.(3d) 397, consd. [para. 34].

R. v. Fehr - see Fehr v. British Columbia and Fabbro, J.

Fehr v. British Columbia and Fabbro, J., [1997] B.C.T.C. Uned. 114 (S.C.), refd to. [para. 39].

Statutes Noticed:

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, sect. 175(1)(a)(i) [para. 8].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Craies on Statute Law (7th Ed.), pp. 159 [para. 21]; 529 [para. 22].

Counsel:

I.L. Saldanha, for the Crown;

E.D. Simper, for the accused.

This matter was heard at Okotoks, Alberta, by Semenuk, P.C.J., of the Alberta Provincial Court who delivered the following decision on January 21, 2003.