Jail sentence for drunken assault

Posted on June 24, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Maple Creek News

A man who kicked “the living daylights” out of army veteran George Knowles, stomping on his head in a drink-fuelled attack, received a 900-day jail sentence for aggravated assault.

Andrew Bernhardt received an additional 70-day sentence, to run consecutively, for assaulting police officer Tyler Lane.

He was also sentenced to 70 days, to run concurrently, for uttering threats to Const. Rosie Townshend-Carter.

Combined, the jail sentences add up to 970 days.

Accounting for time already spent in custody, it means Bernhardt faces a further 550 days behind bars.

Judge Alan Jacobson went on to impose an 18-month probation term with multiple conditions.

These require Bernhardt to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, appear before court when requested, notify the court or probation officer of any change of address or employment, report to a probation officer in Swift Current within two weeks of his release, and live in a residence approved by his probation officer.

Other conditions include participating in a program for addictions, and a program for anger management and personal grief counselling.

Bernhardt was also directed to have no contact with George Knowles or the police constables who detained him.

In addition, judge Jacobson imposed a victim fine surcharge of $600, to be paid within seven months of Bernhardt’s release from jail, ordered him to provide a DNA sample, and issued a 10-year firearms prohibition.

Bernhardt, who is in custody and expects to be living in Saskatoon once released, appeared for sentencing in Maple Creek on Thursday morning by video surveillance.

At an earlier hearing in Swift Current Provincial Court, he had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, assault and uttering threats.

In his sentencing report, judge Jacobson said the aggravated assault occurred on August 16, 2025, after 68-year-old Knowles noticed Bernhardt on his Maple Creek property and went to investigate.

According to Knowles, a military veteran who was sergeant-at-arms during the 2023 Remembrance Day service in Maple Creek Bernhardt “kicked the living daylights” out of him, stomping on his head. Knowles managed to escape and call 911.

The assault left him with black eyes, ear and knee gashes, and ankle pain. He needed stitches to his ear. Fortunately, he has recovered from his injuries.

Beyond the physical harm, Knowles suffered emotional trauma, said judge Jacobson, and was robbed of the sense of security his home should provide.

Judge Jacobson also spoke of the impact of the incident on the RCMP officers who went to the scene. The police put themselves in harm’s way, he said, and do not deserve to be abused and threatened.

Intoxication was a factor, said judge Jacobson, pointing out that Bernhardt testified he had no recollection of the assault.

Judge Jacobson said Bernhardt, an Indigenous man, had experienced challenges, including a sexual assault and personal loss. One tragedy involved the death of his twin brother, who hanged himself.

The series of traumas led to a downward spiral into drugs.

On the plus side, Bernhardt had a spouse and children.

“I know you are determined to be a good father,” judge Jacobson told Bernhardt.

Unfortunately, alcohol has exercised a strong grip on too many people, said judge Jacobson.

He added that Bernhardt had written a letter of apology to Knowles, who granted permission for it to be read out loud to the court.

In it, Bernhard said he took full responsibility for what happened and that Knowles did not deserve to be attacked. He apologized for causing pain and fear.

“There is no excuse for my behaviour,” he wrote.

Bernhardt, “scared” at the transformative effect of alcohol on himself, said he felt compelled to seek help.

Judge Jacobson said he had received pre-sentencing letters from members of Bernhardt’s family, a doctor and an elder. He had also received a victim impact statement from Knowles.

He said his sentence, at the lower end of the scale, reflected Bernhardt’s guilty pleas, acceptance of responsibility, apology, and traumatic background. He also took into account the fact that Knowles had recovered from the physical injuries.