By ALEX McCUAIG Local Journalism Initiative on May 19, 2021.
amccuaig@medicinehatnews.com A gas station owner whose trial on charges related to an assault against family members who own a neighbouring service station in Walsh has secured a new lawyer. Anwar Kamaran was arrested last summer in connection with two counts of assault causing bodily harm. The man was rearrested and held in custody pending trial earlier this year after he incurred further charges relating to making death threats and breaching his release conditions on then assault allegations. During Kamaran’s appearance on Tuesday, the court heard the man had secured a new lawyer after at least three others had come off the record over since August 2020. His matters were briefly adjourned to confirm Kamaran’s latest counsel will be prepared for the man’s July trial date. Sex crime charges involving youth One of four men arrested in connection with a sex for money and drugs investigation involving youth between 12 and 15 made a brief court appearance Tuesday. Medicine Hat police reported in April the arrests of the men following a tip from the public. Cory James Dominaux, 36; Michel Beauchesne, 19; and Simarjeet Singh Bhathal, 25 face counts of sexual assault on a person under 18, having sexual contact with persons younger than 16 and various other sex-related offences. Another man, Cody Spencer Riddell, 21, faces single counts of the similar offences. Dominaux’s brief appearance saw his matter adjourned to next month to obtain legal counsel. The charges are being handled by the provincial specialized prosecutions branch. 14