Former Saskatchewan Party MP Greg Lawrence has been sentenced to 12 months probation – after pleading guilty to an assault charge.

Lawrence was in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Wednesday for sentencing. Originally facing two charges stemming from an incident in February 2019, the Crown dropped the assault by suffocation following Lawrence’s plea.

He will not be behind bars – as long as the conditions for the 12-month conditional discharge are met.

These include keeping the peace and being of good behavior, appearing in court if necessary and notifying a probation officer or the court before changing name, address or occupation.

In addition, Lawrence is prohibited from having any contact with the victim and cannot be within 50 meters of the victim’s home or workplace.

In addition, a victim surcharge has been ordered – which will see Lawrence pay a sum of money to the victim.

Former Moose Jaw Wakamow MP Lawrence resigned from the Saskatchewan Party caucus on Jan. 30 amid an active police investigation “unrelated to his parliamentary duties.”

A day later, he was formally charged by the Moose Jaw Police Service.

The service began its initial investigation in the summer of 2023 after receiving “historic assault complaints” involving Lawrence.

Lawrence was absent from the legislative chambers for most of his last year in office. In August 2023, he was involved in a motorcycle accident – ​​which resulted in a several-week recovery in hospital.

He stood as an independent after his resignation from the government caucus.

He did not seek re-election in the Saskatchewan provincial election in October.