Ryan Dickinson could be sentenced to almost two years for participating in the Stanley Cup riot in June 2011.
The 20-year-old Coquitlam resident is the first person to plead guilty in the riot that spread throughout downtown Vancouver after the Canucks lost 4-0 to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals on June 15.
Dickinson was on bail for an earlier assault charge and was to abide by a curfew when he joined a friend and went to Vancouver to watch the final hockey game, where they joined more friends.
According to Crown Counsel Patti Tomasson, Dickinson's participation in the events of that night started in the 700-block of Nelson Street at about 8:30 p.m., where he was part of a group of people who were destroying two unmarked police vehicles parked on either side of the street.
In several photos shown in court the rioters are seen hitting and kicking the cars, jumping on them and, eventually, throwing street barricades and newspaper boxes at the vehicles.
In one video, Dickinson is seen in the middle of the group as they try to flip over one of the cars.
Later he is clearly shown hoisting a 24 Hours newspaper box on one of the cars.
Some time later Dickinson is seen outside the Black & Lee formalwear store, where he picks up a mannequin and throws it at the window. He then picks up a newspaper box and throws that at the windows as well.
In July 2011 Vancouver Police contacted Dickinson and suggested he turn himself in. He then left the province and returned in October for his trial on the assault charge, at which point he was arrested for participating in the riot.
He has been in custody since December 2011.
In a report from his pre-sentence interview, Dickinson said he recalls thinking the rioters were "pretty stupid" but he got caught up in the moment and joined them.
At some point Dickinson realized he should not have been involved and said he "felt like crap."
Tomasson argued those statements don't truly reflect Dickinson's involvement in the riot.
"He made conscious choices that night," she said, choosing first to violate his curfew, and, when the riot erupted, to not leave the area.
"Mr. Dickinson chose to stay and he chose to participate," Tomasson said, and the photographic evidence shows he was "enjoying participating in the riot."
The day after the riot Dickinson chatted with a friend on Facebook, in which he seemed to brag about his participation in the event, Tomasson said.
In her submissions on sentencing Tomasson noted not only the financial cost of the riot - estimated at $3.8 million - but also the numerous civilians, police officers and fire fighter who were injured.
She also emphasized the psychological toll the riot took on people who barricaded themselves inside their homes and businesses, particularly those in the Blenz coffee shop on Georgia Street and the nearly 80 people trapped in the Bay, some of whom have sought counselling to deal with the trauma of that night.
"The homes, businesses and entertainment facilities that make up the community of downtown Vancouver were set upon by rioters on June 15," Tomasson said.
"In the Crown's submission, the riot was akin to a home invasion of the whole community."
Tomasson asked the judge to consider Dickinson's actions in the context of the riot, during which the actions of an individual are inextricably linked to all the other participants.
She also noted Dickinson's three prior convictions show a pattern of behaviour, particularly when it comes to "mob criminality."
The Crown is seeking a jail term of 15 to 18 months for the riot participation charge, with three and a half months credit for time served, as well as one to three months for the breach of recognizance charge.
Crown is also requesting two years of probation.
Defence lawyer Eric Warren argued his client should receive one year for both charges, noting Dickinson pled guilty early on in the proceedings, and agreed to the probation order.
Warren disagreed with the Crown's assertion that Dickinson was an instigator in the riot, saying that while it's clear his client participated in the event, his involvement was not at the extreme end and was consistent with being "caught up in the moment."
Judge Malcolm MacLean questioned that statement, saying Dickinson was involved enough to travel from Nelson to Richards Street and cause damage in both places.
Warren argued a conviction for breaching bail conditions would likely get a sentence of less than two weeks for someone caught not abiding by their curfew, adding the riot was worsened because the Canucks lost.
"It strikes me that you're trying to justify or minimize" the riot, MacLean replied, adding "whether a hockey team wins or loses is hardly a reason" that would sway the court.
"We're dealing with adults who have the ability to make decisions and a lot of people made some really bad ones."
Dickinson did not speak during the sentencing hearing, but asked his lawyer to read a statement he had written.
"Your Honour I am writing you this so I can have a chance to explain to you in my own words how sorry I am for the inexplicable actions that took place during the Stanley Cup riot," Warren read.
"I'm ashamed and deeply embarrassed. I was caught up in the moment and I made some very bad decisions that day, and I am willing to take full responsibility for my actions."
Warren said Dickinson vowed never to be in the same situation again, and plans to avoid large gatherings in the future.
Outside the courthouse Crown Counsel spokesman Neil Mackenzie said that while the Crown is seeking the higher end of the 12 to 18-month sentencing range for participating in a riot for Dickinson, it does not necessarily indicate what they will be pursuing for other rioters charged.
"I don't want to say at this point what the Crown's position will necessarily be going in to other cases, we have to look at the circumstances of each incident."
Mackenzie also said the riot prosecution team has been focused on the prosecutions and the recent decision not to allow the trials to be broadcast does not change their workload.
Judge MacLean is expected to decide on Dickinson's sentence Thursday afternoon.
