The Nelson Police Department responded to three unrelated assault cases last week, two of which resulted in charges.
A 33-year-old local man will be in court this week accused of assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats after an incident about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the victim, the suspect approached him in the 300 block of Victoria Street and began yelling and ranting at him. Before he had a chance to respond, the man punched and kicked him repeatedly.
A witness stopped the assault and the suspect ran away. Police found the man, who was known to them, soon after. He was jailed pending his court appearance. The victim's injuries were serious but non-life threatening.
In the second incident, a suspect was arrested early Friday after a man complained to the Nelson Police Department that he had been threatened with a knife at the intersection of Ward and Baker streets.
The incident happened around 4:15 a.m. The victim described the suspect, who was quickly located, still at the same location. He was arrested and jailed. He will appear in court Tuesday on charges of assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and carrying a weapon dangerous to the public.
The third incident happened Friday at about 3:45 p.m. when a woman driving in the 1000 block of Josephine Street witnessed a boy chase a girl down the street, trip her, and kick her. The witness yelled for him to stop and he did. The victim begged the witness not to report it, but concerned for the girl's safety, she did anyway. The investigation is ongoing. Police are seeking witnesses or anyone who can identify those involved.
Officers heckled during investigation
About 3:50 a.m. Saturday, police noticed a possible drunk driver pull up to the curb in the 500 block of Vernon Street. The driver provided breath samples and his license was suspended for 90 days.
"During the investigation passengers from the car repeatedly interrupted the constables with questions and sarcastic comments despite numerous warnings to stop interfering," Sgt. Paul Bayes wrote in a news release. "Eventually they complied so the members could focus on the matter at hand."
Bayes said although there is no issue with the public watching officers conduct their investigations, they must keep a proper distance and not obstruct them, which is a criminal offence.
Drunk man jailed
On Wednesday about 5:20 p.m., police came across a drunk 60-year-old local man sitting on the sidewalk in the 500 block of Ward Street. He was arrested and jailed. It was later discovered he was under conditions from a previous incident to stay away from booze. He was charged with breach of conditions and released once he sobered up.