'You ruined my f-----g life,' victim lashes out at drunk driver in court

A sentencing hearing In Fredericton Wednesdaysaw the victim led out of court swearing after throwing his hat at the convicted drunk driver who ran into him and caused him to lose a leg below the knee.

Robert Drew Shannon had pleadedguilty to operating a vehicle with an excessive blood alcohol level, causing an accident which caused bodily harm.

Victim Mike Burden appeared in court for the first time at the hearing. Burden was riding a motorcycle with his wifeKendrawhen they were hit by Shannon in the traffic circle at the intersection of Two Nations Crossing andCliffeStreet in Fredericton on June 19.

It is estimated Shannon's blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit.

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One of Burden's legs was later amputated below the knee asa result of the injuries he sustained in the crash. Kendra Burden required several surgeries to repair a crushed ankle.

Burden sat in the courtroom's front row and often lashed out at Shannon, who sat in the prisoner's box.

'Don't look at me'

"Don't look at me you piece of shit," said Burden after Shannon looked in his direction.

Burden became more infuriated as the proceedings went along. When Crown prosecutor Christopher Lavigne spoke in court about the injuries Burden sustained, Burden lifted up his prosthetic leg and taunted Shannon.

"You should've hit reverse and run over me," Burden said as Lavigne described his injuries.

You should've hit reverse and run over me.- Mike Burden, drunk-driving victim

Shortly after this Burden, distraught, was being led away by family members. When he was about to pass the prisoner box Burden threw his hat at Shannon.

"Look at me," he screamed as he began a profanity-laced tirade and threw his hat at Shannon.

It was at this point Judge Julian Dickson recessed the court.

Outside the courtroom the commotion continued with Burden screaming and someone banging on the door of the courtroom wall.

"You ruined my f-----g life, you motherf----r," Burden was heard screaming outside the courtroom.

Personality changes

During the afternoon session,Lavigne saidBurden, in addition to losing his left leg just below the knee, suffered from broken ribs, a broken pelvis, a punctured lung, ruptured stomach, brain injuries and personality changes. Lavigne attributed much of Burden`s behaviour in the morning to those personality changes.

The Crown is seeking a prison sentence of between 30 and 36 months.

Burden`s behaviour in the afternoon was similar to the morning session, with Dickson having to admonish Burden for constantly interrupting the defence's statements. When Dickson said he may have to get a sheriff to escort Burden out he replied, "I would like to see it."

When Dickson asked Shannon if he had anything to say he said, "I'm so sorry for what's happened."

A noise similar to metal hitting wood was heard coming from Burden's seat while he yelled, "That's worth more than two or three years," referring to his leg amputation.

The dramatics continued after court had been adjourned with Burden appearing to try and go after Shannon. Burden was stopped by a court official who physically pushed him away from entering the court.

Burden swore at the court official, saying "that's assault."

In the hall outside the courtroom, Burden was heard talking about the convict's family saying there wasn't enough room in Fredericton for the both of them, saying he would "torture [them] as long as they live here."

The drama continued outside the courthouse with Burden approaching a CBC camera operator, lifting his pant leg to show his prosthetic, and his shirt to show the scars to his abdomen.

That's an insult to anybody that's ever been hurt.- Mike Burden, drunk driving victim

"It's a f-----g mockery, it's a laugh," Burden said. "Anybody that got hurt like that [points to leg] and losttheir f-----g stomach and has a f-----g brain injury like that [removes hat] and you only get three years for it?

"That's an insult to anybody that's ever been hurt," said Burden.

The Crown is seeking a jail sentence between 30 and 36 months in prison, with a prohibition from driving for four to five years.

The defence offered two different jail sentence recommendations:

• One scenario would keep Shannon in provincial jail for between 18 months or two years less a day.
• Under the second scenario, if the judge feels a federal prison sentence is required, the defence recommends between 24 and 30 months in prison. The defencealso suggested no more than a three-year driving prohibition

Shannon will be back in court on Jan. 6 to be sentenced.