A 100 Mile House man found guilty of attempted murder and multiple other charges from a shooting incident in May 2014 was sentenced Wednesday morning in Supreme Court in Williams Lake.
63-year-old Philip Thomas May was sentenced to 9 1/2 years in prison for attempted murder.
Madam Justice Church said that a significant sentence was required to denounce May’s conduct and make him and others aware that using firearms in this manner will be severely dealt with. She said that a significant sentence was also required to promote to Mr. May a sense of responsibility for the offences.
May was also sentenced 4 years imprisonment for possession of a loaded and restricted firearm, as well as 12 months for occupying a vehicle with a firearm, and 12 months for flight from a police officer.
Justice Church noted that the sentences are to be served concurrently rather than consecutively and that after applying time served in pre-sentencing custody, the jail sentence imposed on May is approximately 7 years and four and a half months.
100 Mile House RCMP responded to a complaint of a man in distress on May 31, 2014, at a 93 Mile Loop Road residence and on arrival found a 39-year-old man who had been shot. May was identified as the suspect and fled from a residence in the Lone Butte area resulting in a vehicle pursuit with police.
In delivering the sentence, Justice Church said that although it is clear that May has made considerable effort to address some of his long-standing substance abuse difficulties since the day of the offences and is currently dealing with significant health challenges, he committed the ‘violent offences’ using a prohibited firearm while motivated by anger and continues to see himself as the victim.
Justice Church also imposed on May a 10-year prohibition of any firearm, crossbow, and explosive substance as well a lifetime ban for any restricted firearm, ammunition, or weapon, and a 2-year driving prohibition.