‘Undue risk’: parole denied for man who stabbed Olive Garden server in random attack

A Winnipeg man convicted of stabbing an Olive Garden waitress in the neck in June 2023 has been denied parole due to security concerns.

Robert Alan Ingram, 29, has participated in no rehabilitative programs and has demonstrated little insight or empathy for the unprovoked and random attack, which left the then-18-year-old victim with life-altering injuries, new documents from the Parole Board of Canada say.

“The board has determined any forms of early release at this time will pose undue risk and the release will not protect society,” the board wrote in the June 24 decision documents, provided to the Free Press earlier this month.

“The board assesses your aggravating factors significantly outweigh the mitigating circumstances and that you have demonstrated limited observable or measurable gains to warrant any forms of early release.”

In coming to its decision, the board reviewed Ingram’s time in custody since he pleaded guilty to the attack in September 2023 and received a prison sentence of about five years, eight months.

Ingram was on probation when he repeatedly stabbed the young woman, who was working her first serving shift at the busy restaurant, with a folding knife before fleeing the scene.

According to the seven-page report, Ingram has instigated 19 documented security incidents while incarcerated. Those include: two assaults on other inmates; nine reports of disciplinary problems; four contraband offences; being involved in an inmate fight; requiring medical intervention; and twice uttering threats.

Ingram stabbed another offender on May 9, 2024, the documents says.

When explaining that incident to the board, Ingram said the other man was hearing voices and started swearing at him, so he kicked and stabbed him, believing a guard would shoot the other inmate.

“Further institutional incidents include being involved in fights and assaults on peers, becoming agitated and threatening to kill the psychiatrist, threats to staff, threats to yourself or others,” the report states.

Internal assessments found Ingram’s levels of accountability and reintegration potential have worsened while in custody, with both currently estimated as low. He has a high need to improve his attitude and personal emotions, and a moderate need to improve his education, employment, substance abuse and community functioning, the documents say.

“You have displayed a comfort in your current situation and life circumstances, with no desire to make changes,” it says. “You do not actively engage, and your interactions are described as superficial. You are noted to present with no insight into your offending or risk factors.”

He has been assessed at a 38 per cent risk of being convicted of another violent criminal offence within three years of release, the documents say. “You have demonstrated a comfort in utilizing violence, errors in thought process, narrow and rigid thinking, limited problem recognition skills and appear to struggle with some mental health concerns.”

During his parole hearing, Ingram told the board he found it cruel to be in custody because he has to deal with inmates whom he said he hates, and described as “mentally handicapped and uneducated.”

“The board assesses your aggravating factors significantly outweigh the mitigating circumstances and that you have demonstrated limited observable or measurable gains to warrant any forms of early release.”

“Your inflated self-worth will likely be a huge barrier to any rehabilitation efforts,” the board told him.

In his parole application, Ingram said he planned to live at a community-based residential facility for day parole, before moving on to live on his own during full parole. However, when speaking with a psychiatrist, he said he intended to violate any release conditions that might be imposed on him.

“In your final address to the board, you indicated you are hoping for an early release; if not, it would be okay as you think ‘parole is stupid with a bunch of conditions,’” the documents say.

According to the parole board, Ingram was adopted when he was three years old and was not exposed to any abuse or violence in his youth. He began experimenting with drugs and alcohol when he was five or six.

He has since used marijuana, hash, magic mushrooms, ecstasy, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Ingram has an undisclosed mental illness for which he takes medication, the documents say.

His criminal record began when he was 23, and includes convictions for theft, arson and mischief, and multiple failures to comply with probation conditions.

After he is released from custody, Ingram has indicated he “would like to secure high-paying cosmetology and related surgical employment.”

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca