Ex-British soldier gets over 4 years in prison for manslaughter of Winnipeg man in Toronto bar

Muriel Draaisma · CBC News

· Posted: Jun 10, 2025 9:42 PM EDT | Last Updated: 6 hours ago

A erstwhile British worker was sentenced connected Tuesday to much than 4 years successful situation for the manslaughter of a Winnipeg businessman successful a Toronto barroom successful August 2023.

Ontario Superior Court Justice Katherine Corrick, successful her reasons for the sentence, said what happened connected Aug. 28, 2023 was not a barroom combat but alternatively a "vicious battle with tragic consequences." 

Craig Gibson, 30, a erstwhile British corporal, struck Brett Sheffield, 38, 3 times successful the caput with his elbow aft a verbal combat successful the Locals Only barroom connected King Street West that night. Sheffield died successful infirmary 2 days aboriginal from a ruptured artery astatine the basal of his brain.

According to the facts of the case, Gibson was successful the barroom during a stopover successful Toronto portion connected his mode location to England. In the bar, helium met Sheffield who was connected a concern travel from Winnipeg.

Corrick said the 2 men were captured connected video socializing and drinking copious magnitude of alcohol. Sheffield past bought cocaine from the bartender and openly shared it.

A quality started erstwhile Sheffield held immoderate cocaine up to Gibson's chemoreceptor and ignored Gibson erstwhile helium tried to talk to him. Corrick said Gibson, whom she described arsenic "a beardown and almighty man" struck Sheffield 3 times successful the caput and continued trying to onslaught him until helium was pulled distant by others.

Corrick said Sheffield was struck without informing and was successful nary presumption to support himself. He was taken to hospital, wherever helium died.

Gibson was convicted connected Dec. 20, 2024 of manslaughter after a proceedings by jury. His defence of self-defence was rejected by the jury.

Gibson was dishonourably discharged from the British Army aft being taken into custody. He had served successful Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Kosovo during his career.

Corrick said it is intolerable to seizure the "profound consciousness of loss" of Sheffield's loved ones arsenic described by their unfortunate interaction statements.

"Mr. Sheffield's loved ones mourn not lone his loss, but they besides mourn the aboriginal with him that has been denied them. They are near with scars that volition ne'er heal and lives that are everlastingly diminished," she said.

"No condemnation I enforce connected Mr. Gibson tin ever compensate Mr. Sheffield's friends and household for their unspeakable loss."

The justice noted Gibson is profoundly remorseful for his actions and helium apologized to Sheffield's household for the symptom helium has caused.

Corrick said successful sentencing she considered that information that Gibson volition beryllium serving his condemnation successful a overseas state acold distant from household and friends who volition not beryllium capable sojourn regularly arsenic they reside successful England.