Steven Vollrath gets 12 years for kidnapping 'motivated by vengeance'

Steven Vollrath was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison for the kidnapping and torture of Richard Suter, a crime the judge found was motivated by vengeance.

In January 2015, Vollrath and two other men impersonated police officers and abducted Suter from his home, then cut off his thumb and abandoned him on a dark, deserted road.

"It's Mr. Vollrath who's standing over him while he's forced to kneel in the snow and the handcuffs are removed and his thumb is cut off," Crown prosecutor Jim Stewart said outside court.

"My position all along is that ... Mr. Vollrath deserved a significant consequence and that's what Judge (Elizabeth) Johnson delivered today. I'm satisfied that's an appropriate sentence."

Why VollrathtargetedSuter

For the first time, the court has identified a motive for the attack.

Johnson characterized Vollrath's crimes as "planned, deliberate and motivated by vengeance."

"The kidnapping and assault were targeted," she wrote in her 17-page decision.

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"The only reasonable conclusion ... is that the reason for Mr. Suter's ordeal at the hands of Mr. Vollrath and his associates was the driving incident which resulted in the tragic death of a child.

"This motive has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt and is aggravating.

"It is kidnapping for a heinous reason to extract vengeance by inflicting serious harm."

In May 2013, Suter drove through the glass wall of a restaurant patio and killed two-year-old Geo Mounsef.

Suter is currently serving a 26-month sentence for refusing to provide a breath sample after the crash.

When he was abducted last year, one of his captors asked "if he hurt anyone last fall and whether the baby died."

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Police were never able to establish a link between Vollrath and Geo Mounsef's family. Even though Suter and his wife testified three men were involved in the abduction, no one else has ever been charged.

"It's an open investigation," Stewart said. "There's no doubt there were two other people and if other evidence exists, I'm sure the Edmonton Police Service is going to do whatever they can to obtain it."

Vollrath maintainsinnocence

Three days before Suter was abducted, Vollrath and his common-law partner were spotted on surveillance tape buying a bullet proof vest and toque designed to look like police gear.

When Suter was found bleeding in the snow after the abduction, wearing just a pair of boots and a housecoat, he was also clutching a fanny pack that contained Vollrath's identification.

But the 33-year old continues to insist he had nothing to do with the attack on Suter.

"Mr. Vollrath has always maintained he's the victim of mistaken identity," defence lawyer Paul Moreau said."He maintained his innocence throughout the trial and continues to do so."

Vollrath showed little emotion when the judge imposed the 12-year sentence.He will receive 1.5-years credit for time already served.

"Well, he's doing about as well as can be expected under the circumstances," Moreau said. "He's spent a considerable amount of time in custody waiting for this.He was anxious that it be over and done with.

"Of course he's facing a very long term of prison now. He's understandably very unhappy about that."