Cabbie attackers sentenced

(Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

CORNWALL – Two men have been sentenced for their roles in a violent attack and hostage taking of a cab driver nearly two years ago on Cornwall Island.

The cabbie was beaten and robbed on Nov. 13, 2015 after picking up two men from a city bar and driving them to Akwesasne.

Noah King, 24, was sentenced June 29 in a Cornwall courtroom.

On the most serious charge of assault causing bodily harm, King was given the maximum jail sentence of two years less a day.

The original sentence had been closer to four years but the court credited King for his 622 days of pre-trial custody.

He was also found guilty on charges of theft, kidnapping, breach of recognizance for consumption of alcohol, choking, uttering threats, breach of probation for failing to keep the peace, dangerous driving and impaired driving.

All the sentences for those charges run concurrently (at the same time).

King also has to pay $1,800 in fines and will be on probation for three years.

Court also gave King a lifetime weapons ban and he has to submit a DNA sample.

An accomplice in the attack, Dennis Benedict-Sylvester, 21, was also sentenced following a court appearance on July 6.

Benedict-Sylvester was found guilty on one count of mischief and one count of failing to comply with a probation order.

He will be on eight months probation and will have to perform 30 hours of community service and pay a $200 fine.

Six other charges against Benedict-Sylvester, including mischief, aggravated assault and threats during a hostage taking, were withdrawn by the Crown.