Charges withdrawn against man accused in assault case
By Delon Shurtz on May 1, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com Numerous charges against a 28-year-old man who was accused of assaulting a couple of city business owners during a violent altercation last summer, have been withdrawn.Criminal charges against Alan Edwin Valin for assault to resist arrest, threats to cause death or bodily harm, attempt to disarm a peace officer, cause a disturbance and mischief were withdrawn Friday in Lethbridge provincial court after the judge was told Valin successfully completed a mental health diversion program. Three additional charges under the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act were also withdrawn.
The mental health diversion program is aimed at helping offenders rather than punishing them, and diverts from the justice system to the mental health system individuals who have a mental health illness and are charged with various criminal offences. The program refers offenders to appropriate mental health, addiction treatment and social supports in their community. If successful, charges are typically withdrawn.
Valin’s charges stem from an incident June 15 in which the owner of a business in the 2400 block of Fairway Plaza called police to complain about a man who was “going crazy” and refusing to leave the business.
Police said the man, who may have been intoxicated, finally left the business but re-entered shortly afterward and assaulted the owner. A co-owner attempted to help but was also assaulted and received minor injuries.
When a police officer arrived the suspect threatened to smash the officer’s head. As the suspect was being taken to the police station, he managed to get his handcuffs in front of his body and damaged the partition in the police vehicle. He then grabbed the police rifle and tried to dislodge it from its secure mounts.
The officer driving the vehicle called for assistance and was able to prevent the suspect from gaining control of the rifle. He was then placed in leg restraints and handcuffed again.
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