Victim wants indefinite restraining order against Kamaran

By ALEX McCUAIG Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on June 23, 2021.

An assault caught on a gas station security camera last year ended with a guilty plea Tuesday as well as a call for an indefinite restraining order by one of the victims who believes the perpetrator will try to murder him or his family.

Save On Gas Station owner Anwar Kamaran, 45, was initially arrested on a common assault charge on Aug. 9, 2020 in Walsh.

That assault allegation involved Carol Shoesmith, one of the co-owners of the Trailside Tempo gas station, and took place the previous day. It also came following a bitter months-long price war between the two businesses located next to the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.

The court heard that within 20 minutes of being released on the initial assault allegation – which was dismissed by the Crown in October – and despite conditions to have no contact with the Shoesmiths, Kamaran attacked co-owner and husband of Carol, Geoff Shoesmith.

Security video showed Kamaran rush into the store where he immediately started to pummel Geoff Shoesmith into unconsciousness. The court heard he continued the attack against the co-owner of the station despite him being knocked out.

Kamaran then continued to the home of the Shoesmiths and assaulted the couple’s son David.

Mounties arrested Kamaran shortly after on the Trans-Canada Highway.

The court heard he told the arresting officer, “that was an assault.”

That comment is believed to be a reference to the original complaint in which Kamaran was accused of grabbing Carol Shoesmith’s arm.

Kamaran was released from custody following a bail hearing but once again found himself in jail in March for breaching his conditions.

That breach involved Kamaran posting veiled threats against the Shoesmiths on the Community TV Facebook page under the name Mike Balley.

The court heard Mounties were able to track down Kamaran as the individual posting under the alias through a pre-paid cellphone number the man had provided to police, which was also used to create the Mike Balley Facebook account.

In his victim impact statement, Geoff Shoesmith stated “we need protection from this criminal,” citing the fear Kamaran will harm or even murder members of the family if a life-time no-contact order isn’t issued.

Sentencing for Kamaran on one count of assault causing bodily harm, common assault and breach of release conditions convictions is set to occur on Aug. 3 following written submissions from the Crown and defence.

The Crown is seeking a nine-month jail term followed by two years probation that would include a condition for Kamaran not to be within 5 km of Walsh.

Defence is asking for a five-month jail term, objecting to the condition Kamaran not attend Walsh, calling it a de facto banishment order.

Kamaran will remain in jail pending his sentencing.

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