An Edmonton man described as a “career criminal” will be sentenced Tuesday for kidnapping and torture.
Steven Vollrath faces a lengthy prison term for abducting Richard Suter from his Riverbend home in January 2015, then cutting off the senior’s thumb.
He has been found guilty of kidnapping, aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon and impersonating a police officer.
At a sentencing hearing in June, the Crown prosecutor asked for a 15-year prison sentence.
James Stewart told the court Vollrath has a “bad, lengthy” criminal record. He also pointed to the “high degree of planning in this vicious attack carried out on Mr. Suter.”
Richard Suter in hospital after he was kidnapped and tortured in January, 2015. (Supplied )
Stewart suggested Judge Elizabeth Johnson could decide Vollrath’s attack on Suter was an act vigilante justice.
“If you find he (Vollrath) was motivated by revenge, that is a further aggravating feature that should have an upward pull on the sentence you impose on him,” Stewart argued.
Suter was found guilty of failing to provide a breath sample after he crashed through an Edmonton restaurant outdoor patio in May 2013, killing toddler Geo Mounsef.
Suter was sent back to jail in August after the Alberta Court of Appeal replaced a 4 month sentence with a 26 month sentence. Suter has asked the Supreme Court to consider the case.
Vollrath denies guilt
Vollrath’s lawyer asked the judge to impose a prison term in the range of five to eight years.
In June, defence lawyer Paul Moreau argued there was no evidence Vollrath was motivated by “some sort of vigilante intentions.”
Moreau also said his client would not express any remorse because, “he denies guilt.
“He claims he is the victim of mistaken identity,” Moreau said.
“The question of motive will remain a mystery for this court to resolve.”
‘This level of cruelty’
In a victim impact statement presented to the court during the sentencing hearing, Richard Suter wrote about the emotional toll of the attack.
Gayska and Richard Suter speak to media outside Edmonton courthouse in July 2015. (CBC)
“It was meant to terrify me and it did,” Suter wrote.
“How could you Mr. Vollrath stoop to this level of cruelty? Since the abduction, my wife and I are in psychiatric treatment for post-traumatic disorder and depression.”
Vollrath remains in custody.