Dustin Paxton a dangerous offender, Calgary judge rules

Dustin Paxton, found guilty in 2012 of aggravated and sexual assaultagainst his former business partner and roommate, is a dangerous offender, a Calgary judge ruled on Thursday.

• Dustin Paxton's victim says brain damage kept him from fleeing
• Key moments in the Dustin Paxton trial
• Dustin Paxton trial raises questions about torture

Sheilah Martin, the presiding Court of Queen's Bench judge,saidthe Crown established beyond a reasonable doubt thatPaxtonmeets all the criteria for being declared a dangerous offender.

She sentenced him to anindeterminate prison term.

The victim, who cannot be named because of a publication ban, was emaciated when he was dumped at a Regina hospital in April 2010. He had been starved and badlybeaten over a period of 18 months.

The man, whose normal weight was between 200 and 250 pounds, was dropped off at the hospitalweighing 87 pounds. He also had several broken bones and a mutilated face.

During the trial, the victim testified he had been beaten by Paxton daily since Halloween night 2008. The pair moved from Winnipeg to Calgary and were living and working together.

Paxton smirked as he sat inthe prisoner's box whileMartin delivered her decision.

Martin acknowledged that Paxtons decision to finally take his victim to the hospital might have saved the man'slife.

But she saidPaxtonsattacks on his victim were brutal, sadistic, unprovoked and involved inhuman conduct.

Martin said she agrees with expert testimony that Paxton has anti-social personality disorder with narcissistic and psychopathic traits.

"Given Paxton's brutal conduct, the court will not gamble with the public's safety, Martin said.

The victim had said during the trialhe didnt leave because he had suffered brain damage from the beatings and couldn't make rational decisions.

Was it torture?

The man and his family are now lobbying to have the definition of torture expanded.

Currently, only government officials, such as police and military officers, can be charged with the crime.

• DustinPaxtonguilty of aggravated and sexual assault
• DustinPaxtonfits dangerous offender criteria, Crown argues

"Aggravated assault is not enough.What happened tomy sonwas torture," the victims mother told CBCs The Current last month. "It was sustained. It wasover a long period of time and it was ritualized."