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No jail for obstructing police

Matthew Paul Pound spit in victim’s face, threatened to shoot an officer

RYAN ROSS JUSTICE REPORTER ryan.ross @theguardian.pe.ca @ryanrross

A Charlottetown man who spit in his victim’s face and threatened to shoot a police officer was recently given a suspended sentence and 20 hours of community service.

Matthew Paul Pound, 25, appeared before Chief Judge Jeff Lantz in provincial court in Charlottetown where he pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer.

Crown attorney Bridget Morriscey told the court that on May 10 at around 10 p.m.,

Charlottetown police responded to a disturbance call.

When they arrived, the police saw Pound yelling at residents while appearing to be under the influence of something, Morriscey said.

The court heard Pound spit in one of the residents’ face, wrapped his legs around them and grabbed them by the head.

Morriscey said Pound was aggressive toward the responding officers and pulled away from them.

The court heard that while on their way to jail, Pound threatened an officer and said he would shoot him.

Defence lawyer Alex Dalton told the court Pound has struggled on and off with substance abuse over the years and has underlying mental health issues.

He has sought addiction treatment since the incident, she said.

Dalton said Pound’s case would be perfect for a mental health court, if P.E.I. had one.

The possibility of a therapeutic court in P.E.I. to deal with people with mental health or addiction issues has been discussed in recent years but never implemented.

Before hearing his sentence, Pound addressed the court, saying he apologized for the incident and making things difficult for the police and jail guards.

“I really don’t like what happened,” he said.

In giving Pound a suspended sentence, Lantz said the accused seems to be on a better path than before and hopefully it will continue.

With the suspended sentence, Pound will be on probation for one year, which includes a condition that he undergo any assessment, counselling or treatment as directed.

Lantz also ordered a twoyear weapons prohibition.

THE ISLAND

en-ca

2021-07-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

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