A 30-year-old man appearing in court for a dangerous offender hearing is now facing an additional assault charge following an incident inside a Peterborough courtroom.
The Peterborough Police Service says that at about 11:20 a.m. on February 17th, the accused — who was in leg shackles — jumped from the prisoner box and assaulted the Crown attorney during proceedings. Special Constables providing court security quickly subdued the man and returned him to custody at the Central East Correctional Centre. The Crown attorney was not injured.
Police later obtained a judge’s order to have the man brought back to court on Wednesday, where he was formally charged with assault and held for a bail hearing.
Police Chief Stuart Betts said courtroom safety and the design of the prisoner box have been ongoing concerns. He noted a temporary plexiglass enclosure has since been agreed upon, adding it is concerning the incident occurred before the change was implemented.
