The young man who kidnapped a local boy on his way home from school last November has been sentenced to 15 months in closed custody followed by three years probation.

The 19-year-old man, who The Mail has chosen not to identify, appeared in provincial court on Friday, June 27 for sentencing. Earlier this year he pleaded guilty to kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, assault with a weapon and a number of breaches of his release. He was to be sentenced in youth court for sexual crimes two days before the kidnapping event in November 2007.

The court heard how on November 14, the young man was left alone in his stepfather’s car in the Bashaw area. About three hours later in he appeared in Drumheller in the car. The man approached three boys between the ages of six and nine who were on their way to an after school program. Armed with a utility knife, the man ordered one young boy into the car. The boy refused. The man then grabbed another boy by the backpack and put him in the car. The third child grabbed the man in an attempt to stop him, and was struck. The boy in the car climbed in the backseat, while the other two ran to separate homes for help.