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A Calgary bus driver has returned to work more than a year after he was brutally attacked by two brothers, court heard Friday at the sentencing hearing for one of the offenders.
“It’s a commentary on his resilience,” said prosecutor Greg Piper of the victim, Amarjit Grewal.
On Friday, Piper and defence lawyer Ian McKay jointly proposed a three-year sentence plus 18 months probation for Darryl Flett, which was accepted by Justice Frederick Fisher.
Justice Fisher noted that it was an aggravating factor that the victim was a public transit operator engaged in duties at the time of the attack.
“He didn’t deserve what happened to him,” said Fisher.
Flett and his brother Curtis Baker Spence attacked Grewal, 67, on May 14, 2025.
Earlier this year, Flett pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and breaching a release condition while Baker Spence pleaded guilty to robbery and breaching a release condition.
Baker Spence was sentenced to four years in prison in June.
Calgary Transit employees filled the courtroom in support of the victim.
At the time of the attack both brothers were under court-ordered conditions banning them from possessing weapons.
The attack
The brothers attacked Grewal on his bus in the early morning hours of May 14, 2025 while at a stop in northwest Calgary.
Video of the attack shows Baker Spence beating Grewal with a baton while Flett used a sharp-edged weapon.
Grewal used his hands and arms to shield his face and head from the attack.
The beating continued as Grewal was on the ground. The lone bus passenger tried to help the driver, shielding him with a cushion.
Victim’s blood found on brother
After the attackers fled, Grewal called 911. About seven hours later, the brothers were arrested after they were spotted by police at a northeast McDonald’s.
Grewal’s blood was found on Baker Spence’s clothing and shoes.
He suffered ongoing injuries to his hand.
Court heard that Baker Spence had been released from jail after serving time for crimes of violence just two weeks before his attack on Grewal.
‘I wish I could go back in time’
Piper noted that Baker Spence received a longer sentence because he “appeared to be the leader.”
Flett’s probation conditions include a requirement he stay away from Grewal, drugs, alcohol and that he participate in treatment.
With credit for the time he’s already served, Flett has just over a year left on his sentence.
Before court ended, Flett was given the chance to speak and addressed his victim directly.
“Mr. Grewal sir, I would like to say I’m sorry for the things that happened that night and I’m very sorry I put you in danger,” said Flett. “I wish I could go back in time.”