Provincial Court at Atlantic Place in St. John’s. Article contentAn off-duty correctional officer who punched a woman in the head unprovoked on George Street last year is asking the court for a discharge, saying she has been working on herself to make sure nothing similar happens again.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“I can’t change what happened but I accept the full responsibility for what happened,” Randi Lee Theriault, 24, told the court Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“I understand that my actions have caused (the victim) hurt and stress and it could be a new diagnosis of PTSD or anxiety or depression, but I do respectfully ask, Your Honour, to consider the steps I have taken, and the work I am doing and continuing to do when deciding my sentence.”Article contentTheriault has pleaded guilty to a single count of assault in connection with a February 2025 incident on George Street in St. John’s.Article contentThe court heard Sara Young, who spoke to The Telegram last year, was leaving a bar with friends when they noticed a crowd had gathered around a fight between two men.Article contentYoung told police she yelled for them to stop when a woman ran up to her and punched her in the face. A second punch knocked Young to the ground.Article contentYoung said she asked the woman, “What’s wrong with you?” and started walking away from the scene with her friends. Then the woman ran up behind her and punched her again, this time in the back of the head.Article contentSeveral of Young’s friends also gave statements to police with similar descriptions. One of them had taken photos of the initial fight and the woman who attacked Young.Article contentArticle contentShe was later identified through social media as Theriault, a correctional officer.Article contentArticle contentCrown seeks suspended sentenceArticle contentIn court, prosecutor Nicole Hurley read aloud a victim impact statement from Young, who was left with a black eye, concussion and a small cut near her eyebrow.Article content“Although my physical injuries got cleared in about two weeks, my emotional damage is something that is still very real to me,” she wrote.Article content“Knowing I could not defend myself from this offender and this altercation was very alarming to me. All I could do was run away.”Article content Young’s eye starting to swell when she got back to her friend’s house. CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentYoung, who said she had never before been in a physical fight, said there have been times since the assault when she was scared to go out in public, fearing she might run into Theriault.Article contentHurley asked for a suspended sentence and 12 months’ probation for Theriault, with conditions to have no contact with Young and attend counselling for anger management and other issues.
NL correctional officer seeks discharge after punching woman in the head unprovoked on George Street
