Warning - extremely graphic content/Discretion advised
NEW WESTMINSTER - A Surrey man who cruelly abused a woman over a period of 11 months has been sentenced to six years in prison, less three years credit for time served.
Associate Chief Justice Austin Cullen found Jody Matthew Burke, 39, guilty of two counts of assault, two counts of threatening, two counts of assault with a weapon, one count of sexual assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm following a trial in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.
The judge noted at sentencing that Burke's crimes "included both acts of sudden reactive violence, and as well sexual and physical acts of deliberate, prolonged, and calculated cruelty."
There is a publication ban on any information that could identity Burke's victim.
The court heard he used a knife and belt to inflict fear, humiliation and pain, threatened to kill her, and forced her to swallow his urine, eat his mucous, kiss his feet and endure painful anal sex.
The Crown argued for a sentence of seven to eight years, with no parole until after half the sentence is served, and a number of ancillary orders including that Burke be entered into the federal sex offender database (SOIRA) for life. The defence argued for a sentence of four to five years, less three years credit for time served, and three years probation.
Crown prosecutor Winston Sayson said the sentence imposed should "serve as a warning for those who choose to commit cowardly acts of violence and cruelty" against women.
"The Crown is grateful for the courage of the victim when she came forward and told her story," he said.
The court heard Burke had worked as a fitness instructor and mixed martial arts fighter.