A Moncton man known to police was charged late last month for allegedly assaulting an officer with a crowbar and smashing a police car.
Paul Fairweather, 40, appeared in Moncton Provincial Court on Sept. 24 and was charged with assaulting a police officer with a weapon and mischief to property under $5,000.
According to the Codiac RCMP, it stems from an incident around 5:40 a.m. that same day.
On September 24, 2023, at approximately 5:40 a.m.,
Police said officers were on patrol on Main Street in Moncton when they saw a man they deemed to be suspicious in front of the police station.
“A member approached the man, and the man then charged at the member while brandishing a crowbar,” said Codiac RCMP Cpl. Marc Leger.
“The man then proceeded to smash the police vehicle with the crowbar.”
Mounties said several officers worked to de-escalate the situation and place the man, who has now been identified as Fairweather, under arrest.
The member sustained minor injuries.
Suspect ‘usual customer’ of the court
September was not the first time Fairweather had to go before a judge.
He pleaded guilty in February 2022 to a series of crimes committed while under the influence of drugs between spring 2021 and December 2021.
A provincial court judge found Fairweather had stolen from several stores in Moncton, including Canadian Tire, Shoppers Drug Mart, Atlantic Superstore, Lawton’s and Dollarama.
He also was found guilty of breaking into a shed owned by Lloyd’s in Moncton.
According to the Times & Transcript, Fairweather’s attorney Abel Le Bouthiller told the court his client had mental health troubles and a “hard core” drug addiction, made worse after he and his girlfriend separated.
Prosecutor Maurice Blanchard called Fairweather a “usual customer” of the provincial court due to his long criminal record.
He was sentenced to 15 months in jail, but only served 10 due to credit given for his time spent in remand.
Bail hearing scheduled
Following Fairweather’s court appearance on Sept. 24, police said he was remanded into their custody.
The RCMP said Fairweather is scheduled to return to Moncton Provincial Court on Oct. 31 for his bail hearing.
Mounties said their investigation is ongoing.