Drug thug gives judge the finger

In a slow and deliberate motion, drug debt collector Ryan “Rhino” Watson twice scratched his chest with his middle finger as a judge ordered him to spend another 10 months behind bars.

But Judge Peter Doherty wasn’t watching Watson on the video monitor as he rejected a lighter jail sentence as proposed by both the Crown and defence lawyers last week in provincial court.

“These are troubling facts,” Judge Doherty said after reviewing the case and Watson’s violent criminal history. “I very rarely do not go along with a joint sentence proposal.”

Prosecutor Bruce Goddard and defence lawyer James Hormoth had proposed a one-year sentence for the burly Watson who’s been held in custody in Victoria since Feb. 2.

But that recommendation was considered too light by the judge who handed down a jail sentence which amounts to 18 months. However, Watson’s pre-trial custody is counted as double time which means he only has to serve the remaining 10 months of the sentence.

Watson, 32, was jailed after pleading guilty to two counts each of assault with a weapon causing bodily harm and extortion. Charges of break and enter, and uttering threats were stayed by the Crown in exchange for the guilty pleas.

The charges stem from two separate incidents which occurred on Feb. 2. The first began round 8:30 a.m. when Watson and and another accused man went to a residence on 19th Avenue to collect a drug debt from a man who is well-known to police.

Watson demanded $100 from the man and threatened to beat him if he didn’t come up with the cash in half in hour. Watson then left and returned a little later in a fury.

He nearly broke the front door off its hinges and was also carrying a machete. Inside the residence he began stabbing the walls with the weapon and threatened to cut off the man’s arm if he didn’t come up with the money.

Watson then punched the other man’s brother in the face and then ordered the man to commit crimes in order to repay the debt.

Later that day, at 4:10 p.m., Watson and his accomplice went to a different residence on 10th Avenue and tried to break inside to collect another drug debt. It is also alleged they were carrying knives.

However, the resident called police and Watson was arrested shortly later.

According to a pre-sentence report prepared for the court, Watson had difficulties as a youth and then became “heavily associated with the drug culture.” He may also be bipolar which is a mental disorder.

In addition, Watson has substance abuse problems with alcohol and cocaine, and it was recommended that he seek residential treatment.

In 2005, he was convicted of three counts of assault with a weapon and careless use of a firearm. And, according to the author of the pre-sentence report, Watson tends to minimize his violent actions.

“The report is not particularly positive,” said Goddard.

Nevertheless, Watson’s lawyer said his client intends to change his ways and wants to have more contact with his children.

Moments later though, Watson was smirking and scratching his chest with his middle finger as Judge Doherty handed down the jail sentence.

“It appears Mr. Watson is a drug debt collector who terrifies people using a machete,” the judge said. “Given the ugly circumstances of this case, deterrence, denunciation and protection of the public should be the primary aims of sentencing.”

Following Watson’s release from jail, he will spend the next two years on probation. For the first three months of probation, he must abide by a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

In addition, Watson is banned for life from owning any firearms and must provide a DNA sample to the national police registry.