A Saskatchewan father, Micheal Gordon Jackson, faces sentencing this Friday after being found guilty of contravening a custody order. Jackson, 55, withheld his then-seven-year-old daughter from her mother in late 2021 to prevent her from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, triggering a high-profile legal case.
The ordeal began in November 2021, following a visitation, when Jackson went missing with his daughter. Their disappearance led to an international search, culminating in their discovery in Vernon, B.C., in February 2022. Jackson kept the child from her mother for nearly 100 days during that period.
In spring 2023, a Court of King’s Bench judge convicted Jackson after two weeks of court proceedings. The Crown is seeking a two-year prison sentence, including time served, alongside three years of probation and 200 hours of community service.
Jackson, who represented himself throughout the legal process, argues that his time in custody—541 days on remand—is sufficient punishment. He claims he faced mistreatment while incarcerated, alleging that correctional staff and fellow inmates targeted him, tampered with his food, and trashed his cell.
After being initially denied bail in August 2022, Jackson was eventually released on bail in February 2023. If the Crown’s sentencing request is granted, he will serve an additional 199 days in prison. Conversely, if the court sides with Jackson, he could walk away from Friday’s proceedings without further punishment.
The court is also considering a conditional sentence, which may include restrictions on Jackson’s contact with his daughter and her mother, who is also his ex-wife.
Source: Swifteradio.com