‘Volatile relationship’

Judge acquits man of three assault charges

A judge acquitted a young man on charges of assaulting his former girlfriend but ordered the pair to stay apart.

Chief Provincial Court Judge Nancy Orr found the Crown failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that 20-year-old Derrick Dunn was guilty on any of three counts of assault that he faced in a half-day trial Wednesday.

Orr heard testimony from both the accused and the alleged victim.

The victim testified to three alleged incidents of assault by Dunn, who she had been in a relationship with for about two years.

Only one incident, she said, resulted in injury.

She claimed on Nov. 9, Dunn got angry because she wanted to leave his home. She told the court Dunn pinned her on his bed and struck her with his fist, resulting in a bruised eye and a bloody mouth.

She testified Dunn threw a wooden chair at her on another occasion, striking her in the legs.

Dunn denied all of the victim’s claims of assault.

“I never laid a hand on her ever,’’ he said.

As to the November incident, Dunn testified nothing happened.

“It was an argument,’’ he said. “It didn’t lead to any injuries. She bruises easily.’’

While Orr was unable to conclude what version of events were true, she did reach one conclusion about the couple.

“I’m quite satisfied this was a volatile relationship,’’ she said.

Orr ordered the pair to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for one year and to refrain from having any contact, direct or indirect, with one another.