OTTAWA: An Edmonton lawyer who smuggled drugs into the remand centre has been sentenced to spend four years behind bars.
But a pending appeal will keep him out of jail, at least for the next little while.
Justin Sidhu was convicted in June 2015 of bringing six grams of methamphetamine, hidden inside birthday and Christmas cards, into the remand centre while meeting with an inmate in 2013.
The cards were found inside an envelope that Sidhu passed to the inmate in the remand centre’s interview room. The lawyer had told guards the envelope contained privileged documents.
Sidhu was sentenced Tuesday afternoon in an Edmonton court room.
Justice John Little said the four-year sentence is appropriate as Sidhu “abused a position of trust,” adding he brought the practice of law into disrepute.
“We cannot maintain a peaceful society if those who are incarcerated get access to dangerous drugs,” said Little.
The Crown had called for Sidhu to get a four-year sentence, two years more than the mandatory minimum required for the offence.
Sidhu’s lawyer Peter Royal argued for 30 to 36 months.
Royal said his client intends to appeal. Until the appeal is heard, Little said Sidhu can remain out of custody.
During his trial, Royal argued there was no evidence his client knew the drugs were inside the cards.
Sidhu is currently listed as a non-practising lawyer with the Law Society of Alberta.
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