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The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Weather delays sentencing for retired soldier in deadly training accident

By: The Canadian Press

Posted: 03/4/2013 3:01 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 03/4/2013 12:17 PM

Cpl. Josh Baker, who was killed in a training accident in Afghanistan, is shown in a military handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ho-Canadian Armed Forces

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CFB SHILO, Man. - A sentencing hearing for a retired Canadian soldier convicted in a deadly training accident was postponed Monday due to bad weather.

The hearing for former warrant officer Paul Ravensdale was to start in his court martial at CFB Shilo near Brandon, Man.

But highways were snow-covered and visibility poor due to a storm that Environment Canada predicted could dump as much as 25 centimetres of snow.

Ravensdale was convicted last month on charges that include breach of duty causing death.

Cpl. Joshua Baker was killed and four other soldiers were injured three years ago in an accident involving anti-personnel mines in Afghanistan.

The sentencing hearing was rescheduled for Tuesday.

Ravensdale faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, but the prosecution has not said what sentence it will seek.

He was leading a test of the mines when one misfired and sent hundreds of ball bearings flying in the wrong direction. The former warrant officer was found guilty of failing to ensure soldiers were in a safe area for the test.

Two of his superiors have already been convicted, but were not sent to jail.

Maj. Darryl Watts was demoted two ranks to lieutenant and given a severe reprimand on charges of negligence and unlawfully causing bodily harm.

Maj. Christopher Lunney was demoted one rank to captain and given a severe reprimand after pleading guilty to negligent performance of duty.

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