Free after hammer attack

A Kelowna man with an extensive criminal record is back on the streets after pleading guilty to assault causing bodily harm.

Clayton Zeleniski, 46, was arrested on Sept. 26 after a man showed up at Kelowna General Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound and a swollen face.

The man had been living with Zeleniski on Hein Road, and told police he had been attacked by Zeleniski and another man, 46-year-old Troy Gallant, with fists, a sledgehammer and a gun.

The attack reportedly stemmed from Gallant finding surveillance footage of the victim breaking into his house and stealing several items from him.

Gallant went to Zeleniski's RV, which was across the street, told him about the footage and the pair confronted the victim.

Gallant found the stolen items in a bag, along with several items belonging to Zeleniski.

Following the confrontation, the victim was beaten and shot.

Later that night, police executed a search warrant at Gallant's house and arrested him. Police also seized a shotgun, a sledgehammer, ammunition, throwing stars, brass knuckles, and a wooden club with an end fashioned to hold a billiard ball, along with pot and heroin.

Zeleniski was also arrested at his home. Police found five pounds of marijuana in Zeleniski's RV.

Last week, both men pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and the judge accepted the Crown and defence's joint sentencing submission for time already served, totalling 253 days with enhanced pre-sentence credit.

The two men also received two years of probation, along with a lifetime weapons prohibition for Zeleniski and a 10-year weapons prohibition for Gallant. The weapons seized by police were also forfeited.

Zeleniski has an extensive criminal record dating back to 1995. He has been convicted of violent offences seven times, including twice for assault causing bodily harm, and has breached his probation and bail conditions several times in the past.