Saskatoon Man Receives Seven-Year Sentence for Violent Crime Spree
A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for a violent crime spree that began with a random downtown Saskatoon carjacking and culminated in a police chase east of the city last April. Brandon Wyatt Burns pleaded guilty this month to multiple charges including assault, theft, robbery, flight from police, and breaching probation in Saskatoon provincial court.
Attack on Court of King's Bench Judge
Court documents reveal that on April 1, 2025, around 10:30 a.m., Ronald Mills—a Court of King's Bench judge—was attacked while parking his truck along Third Avenue North. Burns opened the passenger door, requested a ride, then entered the vehicle and proceeded to punch the 71-year-old judge approximately ten times on the side of the head until Mills surrendered his keys.
The violent assault resulted in significant vision loss in the victim's left eye, according to court testimony. This brutal attack marked the beginning of a series of criminal acts that would unfold throughout the day.
Convenience Store Assault and Additional Carjacking
Just ten minutes after the initial carjacking, Burns entered a convenience store on the outskirts of Saskatoon's east side. When informed he only had enough money for a 20-pack of cigarettes, he became agitated and punched the store clerk. Burns then stole the cigarettes and fled the premises as the clerk grabbed a pair of scissors and pursued him.
Driving the stolen truck eastbound, Burns stopped at a gas station approximately 70 kilometers from Saskatoon. There, a man driving a work truck noticed Burns appeared to be in distress and rolled down his window to inquire if he needed assistance. Burns responded by jumping through the window, grabbing a set of pliers, and demanding the vehicle. As the man exited the truck, Burns struck him on the head with the pliers before taking the keys and driving away.
Police Pursuit and Additional Crimes
During his crime spree, Burns stopped at a restaurant where he stole cigarettes and pizza before police located him. The ensuing pursuit involved speeds between 120 and 160 kilometers per hour. At one point during the chase, Burns maneuvered behind a police officer and began pursuing the police vehicle. The officer was able to break off when backup arrived.
The incident concluded when police successfully struck the stolen work truck, forcing it into a ditch. Court records indicate Burns was tased four times before becoming compliant with officers.
Additional Assault Charge and Sentencing Details
Burns also pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm for punching his then-girlfriend in the face and breaking her nose on March 5, 2025. During sentencing proceedings, the court heard that during the April crime spree, Burns was under the influence of methamphetamine and experiencing hallucinations.
Crown prosecutor Terry Hofmann presented the facts of the case, and both the Crown and defense jointly proposed the seven-year sentence, which Judge Anne Karhn accepted in Saskatoon provincial court. The comprehensive sentencing addresses multiple violent offenses committed during a single day of criminal activity that terrorized multiple victims across different locations.
