A 21-year-old woman a McMath secondary grad and former Miss Congeniality in a beauty pageant - has avoided jail time for her small part in the infamous 2011 Stanley Cup riot.
Sophie Laboissonniere will also likely not have a criminal record after being given a conditional discharge Tuesday for participating in the riot, during which she looted a London Drugs store.
The non-custodial sentence issued to Laboissonniere includes 16 months of probation, 60 hours of community service, mandatory mental health treatment, and a nightly curfew.
Laboissonniere, who was 19 at the time of the riot, will not serve any jail time and will not have a criminal record, as long as she does not commit a criminal offence while on probation.
Were very pleased with the result in this case, said Laboissonnieres lawyer David Baker, who spoke to media outside Vancouver Provincial Court Tuesday following the sentencing.
Its been extremely hard for her and shes very relieved and looking forward to getting on with her life.
Judge Brian Bastin accepted Bakers submission that Laboissonnieres history of anxiety and depression may have been a factor in her decision in enter the London Drugs on the evening of June 15, 2011.
While inside, Laboissonniere grabbed a bag of chips, two bottles of water, and a Vancouver Canucks water bottle before darting back outside to re-join her twin sister.
Baker also argued that Laboissonniere, because of her pageant history and unique background, had already endured extensive media scrutiny, noting the international exposure also acted as a deterrence. Defence had submitted three large binders full of press clippings from around the world that highlighted Laboissonnieres participation in the riot.
That is an incongruous role to play for somebody whos in a riot, Baker said of media stories that addressed Laboissonniere as Miss Congeniality or as a beauty queen.
In the time between entering her guilty plea and her sentencing, Laboissonniere had also returned to her former high school in Richmond to present to more than 600 students, urging them to think before acting.
Bastin agreed that Laboissonnieres talks will likely help to deter other young people from future acts of violence. His decision requires that she continue to give similar talks throughout the community.
Shes a very nice young woman and shes done everything she can to give back to the citizens of Vancouver and now that shes on a probation order, shes going to continue doing as much as she can, Baker said.
-With a file from the Richmond News
