A St. John’s woman who slashed an RNC officer with a knife last year was sentenced this morning to a five-year jail term. However, before Irene Hutchings was led out of the courtroom in provincial court this morning, her daughter erupted in anger. 

The woman had spoken out in court interrupting proceedings, asking the judge about an appeal. When she refused to stop talking, sheriffs officers asked her to leave the courtroom. “Get out of my face!” she said to the sheriff’s officer. 

She stormed out yelling, cursing and calling a sheriff’s officer and the victim insulting names. “Put that on your newscast!” she shouted to NTV’s reporter before quickly leaving. She was one of many family members who were there to support Hutchings. 

The 52-year-old pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and assault. The charges were laid as a result of a frightening incident that happened at Atlantic Place food court on Water Street on Aug. 24, 2022.

Just after 2 p.m., Hutchings walked into Atlantic Place, hauled a fire extinguisher off the wall and threw it at a female patron. She also tried to use it to smash windows by the nearby coffee shop. She spit at a security guard who tried to intervene and claimed he had a bomb in the bathroom. 

When an RNC officer arrived and tried to arrest her, Hutchings pulled out a knife, which she had taped to her body to conceal it, and slashed the officer on his forearm. She later said, “That pig got what was coming to him.” As the officer tried to stop the bleeding, she grabbed his radio, laughing and taunting him. The officer called for help from his cellphone and when backup arrived, Hutchings was arrested. The officer needed surgery to treat the gash.

In his victim impact statement, read in court at Hutchings’ sentencing hearing in August, the officer said he still feels the effects of the injury. He said he suffered nerve damage and a loss of sensation, which has impacted his ability to perform his duties.

The sentence was in keeping with what Crown prosecutor Nicole Hurley had suggested during the sentencing hearing a few months ago. 

Defence lawyer Jennifer Curran had recommended a lower period in custody. 

However, Judge Phyllis Harris said because of the planning that went into the attack, the targeting of the officer and the serious impact it’s had on the victim, a five-year sentence was appropriate.

Harris said police officers are important in our communities, as they are agents to good order. She said such violence against an officer is a serious offence. She also noted involving the public in such a violent crime was also aggravating.

Hutchings has been in custody since the incident last year and was given 14 months’ credit on her sentence for time served, leaving three years and 10 months on her term.