Wife testifies crack addiction spurred violent crimes
JEFF HODSON/METRO VANCOUVER
Linda Siniscalchi leaves Provincial Court in Downtown Vancouver after testifying at her husband’s sentencing hearing yesterday morning. Frank Siniscalchi has been convicted of violent robberies on women near SkyTrain stations.
Frank Siniscalchi, a father of three, convicted in five violent assault-robberies on women, is a “gentle soul” who became a different person when he became addicted to crack cocaine, his wife said yesterday during the man’s sentencing.
Four of the attacks were upon lone women hit with a metal pipe near Nanaimo and 29th Avenue SkyTrain stations between Dec. 31, 2006 and Jan. 1, 2007.
Crown prosecutor Garth Loeppky said yesterday that Frank acknowledged no responsibility for his crimes and deserved a 10-year jail sentence, minus credit for time already served. Defence counsel Phil Scarsbrick said the 38-year-old East Vancouver man lived an exemplary life prior to the robberies suggested a term of four to six years was more appropriate. A judge is expected to deliver a sentence today.
Linda Siniscalchi, Frank’s wife of 16 years, told B.C. Provincial Court yesterday that Frank is an amazing father and husband and the “most gentle soul I’ve ever met.”
His victims, all Asian women walking alone, ranged in age from 16 to 55.
In the final attack, a 55-year-old woman was found knocked unconscious bleeding profusely from wounds to her head. She spent 16 days in the hospital and suffered a permanent head injury and is now afraid to go outside.
Prior to the attacks, Frank had worked in housekeeping at Children’s Hospital, but lost his job when housekeeping was privatized.
Linda said her husband loved being around children and was heartbroken when he lost his job.
“I’ve never seen a grown man cry in bed and not want to get out of bed.”
Frank sought retraining in Alberta, but shortly after his return he stopped going to work and stopped acknowledging his wife. Linda thought he was having an affair, but later discovered he was addicted to crack cocaine.
