The man who attacked an Airdrie woman in her Willowbrook apartment has been convicted of aggravated assault.

Collin Dennis Ayorech sat in the prisoner's box in a Calgary courtroom Friday as the Crown Prosecutor detailed the events of last June.

Ayorech was charged just two months earlier with assaulting his then-girlfriend, Dawn Warden. He was ordered to stay away from her as part of his release conditions for that charge. 

However, court heard Ayorech breached the no-contact order and was with Warden in her apartment the night of June 9. The two began arguing and Ayorech reached for a sword that was on a bench in Warden's room.

Court heard Ayorech used two hands and attacked Warden with the sword, stabbing her in the shoulder, arms, face, abdomen, and legs. Two of Warden's fingers were sliced off in the attack.

Ayorech used lighter fluid to set Warden's mattress on fire. Warden agreed to go into her bedroom closet if Ayorech let her teenage son out of the burning apartment. She bled and lost consciousness and was awoken by the sprinklers in her apartment.

Warden found the strength to get out, find her son, and get help. She spent several weeks in hospital and still has a long road ahead as she continues to recover from the severe injuries she suffered that night. 

Ayorech has been in custody since his arrest the night of the attack. He was originally charged with numerous counts including attempted murder. However, he opted to plead guilty to a lesser charge of aggravated assault.

An NCR assessment was ordered to determine if Ayorech, who has a history of schizophrenia and drug use, could be found criminally responsible for his actions. The report determined he was not suffering from a psychotic episode at the time of the incident. 

Ayorech's lawyer says he has no real recollection of the events of June 9, however, he does not dispute what happened. On that basis, the judge convicted him of aggravated assault, arson, and breaching his release conditions.

It's expected a date for sentencing will be set next week.

 

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