Assault suspect undergoing psychiatric assessment

A 28-year-old man accused of assaulting a couple of city business owners during an intoxicated frenzy in June is undergoing a psychiatric assessment.

During a brief hearing Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court, defence explained Alan Edwin Valin was unable to attend court because he was involved in the assessment. The accused's next hearing is set for Nov. 12.

Valin faces numerous charges following 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 reported that the man, who may have been intoxicated, finally left the business but reentered shortly afterward and assaulted the owner. The business co-owner attempted to help but was also assaulted and received minor injuries.

When police 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.

Valin’s charges include assault with intent to resist arrest, causing a disturbance, attempt to disarm a police officer, utter threats to cause death or bodily harm, and mischief.