The adult children of an elderly couple who were attacked in their Wetaskiwin area home say, because of the incident, their parents have to live the rest of their lives apart
Dawne Gilchrist, and his wife Marion, were injured last year by an intoxicated man who broke into their home to steal a vehicle.
Dawne, who was 86-years-old at the time, was assaulted so badly he was left in a wheelchair.
His 83-year-old wife, Marion, suffered broken bones in her face.
27-year-old Joshua Piche from Maskwacis pleaded guilty to the crime and on Tuesday, appeared at a sentencing hearing in Wetaskiwin court.
Piche sobbed and apologized to the family of his victims, who delivered emotional victim impact statements.
Dawne and Marion's children say their parents had lived together for 62 years, and their father cared for their dementia stricken mother.
Now, they say Dawne is confined to a wheelchair away from Marion, who is in a secure mental ward for her condition.
The crown is looking for a 10-12 year prison term while the defence is asking for a term of 6-8 years.
Piche is scheduled to be sentenced on April 24.
