Much the of chaos was captured on video on the night of Dec. 2 of last year as more than 100 young adults gathered for a pre-Christmas party at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house on Richmond Street in London. The court heard that during what was dubbed the “beer Olympics,” a flaming goblet was presented. With party goers chanting, “do it, do it” Bryson Donald, 21, decided to throw some isopropyl alcohol on the fire and within seconds the basement erupted in flames. Six people were rushed to hospital with severe burn injuries with some still requiring medical attention to this day. At the sentencing hearing on Thursday Justice Kevin McHugh told the court, “This case has had a significant impact on the victims...in some cases lives have been forever altered.” He added, “While I accept that he did not intend to cause anyone injury, the conduct created an obvious and immediate risk of serious bodily harm to anyone in the area.” One of the victims was Kaitlin Jeffrey who has undergone several surgeries. Earlier in her victim impact statement she told Donald and the court, “For you this may have become a memory, for me this is something I continue to live with every single day.” In the spring, Donald pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm. Acknowledging that Donald has no prior criminal record, McHugh then gave him an 18 month conditional sentence with a GPS ankle monitor. Fifteen of the months is to be served under house arrest with the three remaining being with a curfew. After that he will be on probation for 18 months. Along with the conditional sentence, Donald also has an order in place not to communicate with any of the victims in this case. Before wrapping up McHugh told the court that Donald is remorseful saying, “He has a low risk of re-offending. I accept that Mr. Donald has learned his lesson from that day.”
