Charges diverted in 2020 assault case

A 28-year-old man accused of assaulting a couple of city business owners during a violent altercation last summer could avoid prosecution if he completes a government program aimed at helping offenders rather than punishing them.

Alan Edwin Valin has been accepted into a mental health diversion program, which diverts from the justice system to the mental health system individuals who have a mental health illness and are charged with a less serious criminal offence. The program refers offenders to appropriate mental health, addiction treatment and social supports in their community. If successful, charges are typically withdrawn.

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 said the man, who may have been intoxicated, finally left the business but reentered shortly afterward and assaulted the owner. A co-owner attempted to help but was also assaulted and received minor injuries.

When a police officer 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.

His matter, which was in Lethbridge provincial court Friday, has been adjourned to April 30 to allow time for him to complete the diversion program.

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