Close X
Saturday, November 16, 2024
ADVT 
National

Halifax Man Charged For Assaulting Distracted Texter, Police Say

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Mar, 2017 12:01 PM
    HALIFAX — A Halifax man has been charged with assault after he became enraged by a fellow pedestrian distracted by her cellphone, police say.
     
    Halifax Regional Police said the man punched the woman to the ground Friday afternoon after she almost bumped into him while she was texting.
     
    A 40-year-old man was arrested shortly after and charged with assault. Police say the suspect and the woman do not know each other.
     
    Cab driver Amer Abdo of Casino Taxi says he witnessed the incident while driving in the city's south end with passengers in his car.
     
    "He came from behind her, grabbed her by the head, and then slammed her down," says Abdo. "After she got up, he slammed her again."
     
    Abdo says he reversed his car to confront the man, who said nothing and walked away. The woman got into his car and Abdo contacted police while following the man who walked into a nearby business, he says.
     
    The woman was crying and had difficulty explaining what had happened in English, says Abdo, but luckily the passengers in his cab were able to communicate with her in Chinese.
     
    "Thank God the taxi driver was there," says Sgt. Richard Lane. "The driver's intervention certainly assisted in the apprehension of the suspect, and possibly prevented the assault from becoming more serious."
     
    Abdo says he resumed his shift Friday without giving the incident much thought.
     
    "This girl was helpless. I couldn't just drive off," says Abdo. "It was the normal thing to do."
     
    The accused, whose name was not released by police, is due in court next month.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Quebec Massacre Suspect Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, A Fan Of Trump, Far Right French Politician

    Quebec Massacre Suspect Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, A Fan Of Trump, Far Right French Politician
    A handcuffed Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, made a brief court appearance Monday at which he was arraigned on six counts of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder. 

    Quebec Massacre Suspect Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, A Fan Of Trump, Far Right French Politician

    One Dead In Shooting Near Toronto College; Weapons Recovered

    One Dead In Shooting Near Toronto College; Weapons Recovered
    A witness says he heard a flurry of gunfire near a downtown Toronto college in an incident police say left one man dead.

    One Dead In Shooting Near Toronto College; Weapons Recovered

    Death Of Man Found Stabbed In Richmond, B.C., Was Targeted: Police

    Death Of Man Found Stabbed In Richmond, B.C., Was Targeted: Police
    RCMP say 24-year-old Francis Le was found unresponsive in the parking lot of Richmond General Hospital on Friday night.

    Death Of Man Found Stabbed In Richmond, B.C., Was Targeted: Police

    Police Investigation Into Missing Couple And Grandson Involved A Trip To Mexico

    Police Investigation Into Missing Couple And Grandson Involved A Trip To Mexico
    CALGARY — Police travelled to Mexico as part of their early investigation into the disappearance of a Calgary couple and their five-year-old grandson.

    Police Investigation Into Missing Couple And Grandson Involved A Trip To Mexico

    Canadian Protesters Decry Trump's U.S. Travel Ban; Urge Trudeau Action

    Canadian Protesters Decry Trump's U.S. Travel Ban; Urge Trudeau Action
    Protesters, who also expressed sympathy for the victims of Sunday's mosque massacre in Quebec City, blocked traffic, held placards, chanted, and marched a short distance to city hall and back to the consulate as police kept an eye on them.

    Canadian Protesters Decry Trump's U.S. Travel Ban; Urge Trudeau Action

    Police Identify Man Shot, Killed At Hotel In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside

    Police Identify Man Shot, Killed At Hotel In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
    VANCOUVER — Police have identified a man who was killed following a shooting in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

    Police Identify Man Shot, Killed At Hotel In Vancouver's Downtown Eastside