A British Columbia man who broke into a woman's home and beat her with a baseball bat while her children hid nearby received a reduced sentence last week. The judge was convinced that the 25-year-old is "not now the person he was when he viciously and irrationally attacked" his victim.
Details of the Incident
Craig Brentton Durando pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon, robbery, and breaking and entering. He was granted a conditional sentence of two years less a day, allowing him to serve his time in a provincial correctional facility. The home invasion occurred in September 2023 at Kelly Balatti's home in Terrace, B.C. The attack was precipitated by earlier events involving her son, Nicolas.
In August 2023, Durando and another man named Nikolas Downey exchanged insults and threats at a house party. Their feud continued via TikTok and Snapchat. On September 4, Downey sent Nicolas Balatti a message saying "see you tonight" with a kiss emoji. That night, Durando and three other men drove from Kitimat to Terrace. They mustered with Downey and arrived at the Balatti residence early in the morning with plans to confront and assault Nicolas Balatti.
The Attack
Durando, who had been drinking and using cocaine, kicked in the door and entered the home with Downey and another man. While searching for Nicolas, Durando came across Kelly Balatti in bed. After taking her jewelry, he ordered her onto the floor and beat her with the bat while demanding to know her son's whereabouts. When she attempted to answer, he kicked her several times in the mouth with such force that her head hit the wall behind her. He then used the bat to hit the walls and television, threatening to return if she called anyone.
Unbeknownst to Durando, the woman's teenage son was home and called the police while hiding in his closet. An elementary-school-aged daughter also hid in her room. Durando and Downey fled out the back door when police arrived and were later arrested.
Previous Convictions and Rehabilitation
Durando had prior convictions for uttering threats, mischief, weapons offences, and personation. He had served some time but had stayed out of trouble for over two years before the home invasion. However, he was unemployed and struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Despite the violent nature of the crime, Judge Jennifer M.I. Duncan noted Durando's remorse and rehabilitation efforts, which led to the reduced sentence.
In her victim impact statement, Kelly Balatti said she suffers ongoing back pain and remains traumatized by the attack.
