'High-risk domestic offender' who stabbed ex-girlfriend, her new boyfriend, applying to vary sentence six years later
Robert Charles Fleming, who broke into Chilliwack townhouse in 2019 before violent attacks, back in court this week asking for sentence change
A Maple Ridge man who stabbed his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend multiple times after breaking in to a Chilliwack townhouse six years ago is asking the court to vary his sentence six years later.
Robert Charles Fleming, 46, has already failed in applications to have his guilty plea withdrawn and to have at least one firearm seized by police returned to him.
Fleming first faced six charges in connection with the Jan. 11, 2019 incident, in addition to a charge of criminal harassment from December 2018.
In September 2021, Fleming pleaded guilty in Surrey provincial court to break and enter, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of assault with a weapon, and one count of uttering threats to kill or injure his ex-girlfriend’s dog.
The latter charge stems from words he spoke as he left the ex-girlfriend’s apartment after the stabbing: “He said ‘Why do people do this to me?’” the judge said in court. “‘The dogs are going to die.’”
Double stabbing just before midnight Thursday near #Chilliwack General Hospital. Story to come... pic.twitter.com/H43CzOAucl
— Paul J. Henderson (@PeeJayAitch) January 11, 2019
The two apparently owned at least one dog in common prior to their separation.
According to court services online, Fleming applied in December 2018 under section 117.05(01) of the criminal code to have a firearm or firearms seized from him during a search returned to him. That application was dismissed on April 18, 2023.
Fleming also had a change of heart regarding his original guilty pleas. On Oct. 31, 2022, he applied to the court to withdraw his pleas, an application that was also dismissed two years ago. He had also applied to have his bail conditions varied in March of 2022.
Fleming was scheduled in provincial court on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) for an application to vary his sentence, which was handed down three years ago. That hearing was put over to June 10, 2025.
The incident
It was just before midnight on Jan. 10, 2019 when Chilliwack RCMP received a report of a stabbing at a townhouse on Hodgins Avenue. Two victims were located, one was brought to Chilliwack General Hospital (CGH) the other taken to Royal Columbian Hospital.
There was an armed police presence at the emergency entrance at CGH after the incident, as it was believed Fleming might have fled the scene attempting to attend the hospital.
He did not as he was apparently in communication with police. The then 40-year-old was arrested by the Hope RCMP near Jones Lake. He declined to provide any statement.
The court later heard that when Fleming arrived at the residence, he pounded on the front door then walked around to the back. There he climbed a ladder to the bedroom window, broke the window and entered.
He then fired off bear spray and the two victims were stabbed with a folding knife.
His ex-girlfriend, S.B., received a deep stab wound to her elbow and multiple slashes elsewhere, the new boyfriend J.P. received eight stab wounds in addition to slashes.
At a court appearance in 2019, the judge relayed portions of a letter from the Chilliwack RCMP stating that Fleming is designated as a “highest risk domestic offender” by police, and that the victims suffered emotionally.
-30-
Want to support independent journalism?
Consider becoming a paid subscriber or make a one-time donation so I can continue this work.
Paul J. Henderson
pauljhenderson@gmail.com
facebook.com/PaulJHendersonJournalist
instagram.com/wordsarehard_pjh
x.com/PeeJayAitch
wordsarehard-pjh.bsky.social