More than eight years after a “horrific” machete attack inside an Oak Bay waterfront home that left the victim with serious head and hand wounds, the man accused has pleaded guilty.

“It’s been a long eight years, and I’m glad we’re here,” said Oak Bay Police Chief Julie Chanin. “It’s a very positive result to something very horrific.”

On Aug. 13, Kaspar Handspiker, 32, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and breaking and entering to commit robbery in the gruesome daylight attack.

“I think the motive was just theft. I think this was a crime of opportunity. Mr. Handspiker was looking for an opportunity and found it in this house,” said Saanich’s Major Crimes lead officer, Staff Sergeant John Grennan.

Handspiker now admits that around 7 a.m. on April 25, 2017, he pried open a sliding gla

See Full Page