Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli has been sentenced to 45 days in prison for assault causing bodily harm.
The sentencing was handed down in a Yellowknife courtroom Thursday morning, four months after the 51-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence.
Nadli, who’s been the Deh Cho MLA since 2011, was charged following an incident in his hometown of Fort Providence back in April.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Nadli and his spouse got into an altercation on April 5 after she had been drinking and phoned another man.
Nadli was on his way to church when he received a call from his son, telling him that his spouse – and the boy’s mother – was on the phone with another man.
The 51-year-old returned home where he got into an argument with his wife. Nadli then slapped her and tried to pull her out of the house.
During the altercation, Nadli received minor injuries to his face when his glasses were ripped off. His spouse, meanwhile, suffered a broken wrist and had to receive medical care in Hay River.
Addressing the court Thursday, Nadli took full responsibility for his actions and said his family means the world to him.
His wife and children were also in attendance to support him and broke down when his sentence was read aloud.
Meanwhile, the NWT legislature has announced that Nadli has been suspended as a member because of his imprisonment.
“Although the seat is not formally declared vacant until the time for Mr. Nadli’s right of appeal has expired, or any appeal has been decided, vacancy will nonetheless occur on October 25, 2015 as a result of the dissolution of the 17th Legislative Assembly,” read a press released issued Thursday afternoon.
This is the second time Nadli has been convicted of assault. In 2004, he was sentenced to six months probation for assaulting his spouse.
