Judge bars man from Newfoundland towns, fearing he'll 'seriously harm' former partner

Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

ST. JOHN'S — A judge has barred a man from two western Newfoundland communities as part of a probation order, saying he worries the man will seriously harm his former intimate partner.

In a written sentencing decision dated June 12, provincial court Judge Wayne Gorman said he understood that banishment, as a sentence, "has a long and dreadful history in our common law" and is not often used in modern times. But he said the man has a pattern of ignoring court orders to stay away from the woman.

"There are times when an offender’s actions are so frightening, persistent, and obsessive, that it may be the only way to provide any protection to a victim," Gorman wrote. "This is particularly true when an offender commits acts of violence against an intimate partner and then refuses to comply with a no-contact condition."

Identified only as "DM" in Gorman's decision, the man pleaded guilty to seven offences, two of which involved his former intimate partner. The crimes included harassment, uttering threats and two breaches of a release order requiring the man to stay away from the woman.

Her name is also withheld from the judge's decision.

It was not DM's first conviction for crimes involving the woman, Gorman wrote.
The judge said he sentenced the man in October 2025 to nine months in jail for an "extremely violent" assault against her, and for ignoring orders to stay away from her and her daughters.

"That sentence and the accompanying probation order did not protect (the woman) or her daughters," Gorman said. "This persistence is frightening and we need not ignore what our experience tells us as to where this might lead."

Gorman said DM would park or drive his car outside the woman's house — she saw him out there at least 15 times in as many days, the judge wrote.

Earlier this year, DM showed up to the woman's house before sunrise, and there were footprints found around her property, Gorman said. The man also sent a threatening message to the woman's friend.

The judge quoted from victim impact statements describing a family consumed by fear. The daughters wrote that they were constantly afraid the man would hurt them, their families or their mother.

"I fear that when released the offender will have even more anger and hate towards myself and my immediate family members," wrote one daughter. "I fear for the safety of my family in our own home."

The Crown and defence team suggested DM spend 90 days in jail, a sentence Gorman described as "woefully inadequate."

Gorman sentenced the man to 12 months in jail and three years of probation, which includes the condition he not enter two western Newfoundland communities unless he has written permission from a probation officer.
He must avoid contact with the woman and her daughters and stay away from them, and he cannot have any firearms for 25 years.

"DM purposely harassed (the woman), causing her significant harm," Gorman wrote. "This type of offence, when committed against a former intimate partner, constitutes an act of violence."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2026.

Sarah Smellie, The Canadian Press