Northern Ont. suspect sentenced to house arrest five days before vicious attack on ex-girlfriend

**WARNING - This article contains graphic details of intimate partner violence and may be upsetting to some readers

The 18-year-old man accused in a vicious attack on his ex-girlfriend in Cobalt last week was sentenced to house arrest five days before the Nov. 3 assault.

Portion of Prospect Avenue in Cobalt at Upper Helen Street is cordoned off by police after incident Sunday night. November 3, 2024.

Court documents obtained by CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca show Phillipe Gagnon of Haileybury was found guilty Oct. 29 of breaking into a home and assaulting a male on May 11.

A third charge of mischief for breaking the victim's glasses was withdrawn.

Also on Oct. 29, Gagnon received two concurrent 60-day conditional sentences, 18 months probation, a two-year weapons prohibition and was ordered to submit DNA.

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The conditions of his house arrest allowed him to leave his home on Algonquin Avenue in Haileybury between noon and 4 p.m. every Sunday to "acquire the necessities of life."

He was also allowed to leave for medical emergencies, going to and from school, work, court, religious services, appointments and assessment, treatment or counselling sessions.

As part of his conditional sentence for the May assault, Gagnon was also ordered to undergo programs for anger management and alcohol abuse.

Violent behaviour escalates

Kaylie Smith, his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend, was attacked after getting off the bus in Cobalt around 6 p.m. Nov. 3.

Kaylie Smith, 16, survived a brutal attack in Cobalt on Nov. 3 and is now recovering in hospital in Ottawa. (Paige Smith)

Gagnon is accused of hitting her with his vehicle before attacking her with a sword and severing her left hand.

As a result, he is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, weapons possession and breaching his conditional sentence.

Police are calling it a case of intimate partner violence.

He was arrested the night of the attack and is currently being held at the North Bay Jail.

Gagnon appeared by video at a hearing Tuesday morning wearing an orange jumpsuit.

His matter has been adjourned two weeks at the request of attorney R. Davies, who said he is waiting for disclosure.

CTV News is naming the victim at the request of her family.

Smith suffered many injuries, survived a 16-hour brain surgery and is in stable condition in hospital in Ottawa.

Dozens of supporters with signs that read 'Justice for Kaylie' were at the Haileybury courthouse on Tuesday calling for the judge to deny Gagnon bail.

Protestors outside Haileybury courthouse calling for bail to be denied for Phillipe Gagnon, 18, who is charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault against his ex-girlfriend. Nov. 12, 2024 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)

The topic of bail was not discussed in the hearing and Gagnon remains behind bars.

The charges laid against him Nov. 3 have not been proven in court. 

Help is available

Confidential and free support is available for people experiencing violence. In an emergency, call 911.

• Assaulted Women's Helpline 1-866-863-0511
• Fem'aide Helpline 1-877-336-2433
• Talk4Healing for Indigenous women 1-855-554-4325
• National Domestic Violence Hotline