No jail time after altercation at bar

A Nova Scotia man who resisted arrest and had to be pinned to the floor at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after causing a disturbance at a Charlottetown bar was recently given a conditional discharge.

Logan Lapierre, 22, appeared before Judge John Douglas in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing after previously entering guilty pleas.

Crown attorney Chad McQuaid told the court that on May 29 at around 10:25 p.m., Charlottetown police responded to a call about a disturbance involving several people at a bar.

The court heard Lapierre and a second person went outside to smoke and became belligerent after an employee asked for ID when they tried to go back inside.

McQuaid said it took several employees to get the two out of the bar.

Lapierre was highly intoxicated and had an adverse reaction to medication, McQuaid said.

The court heard that when the police found Lapierre he resisted, was verbally abusive and kicked at them even after he was handcuffed.

McQuaid said the police pepper sprayed Lapierre and later took him to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

On the way to the hospital, Lapierre’s behaviour continued and he kicked at a window.

The court heard he had to be pinned to the floor at the hospital.

Defence lawyer Isaac Quinn told the court Lapierre was intoxicated and had taken medication used to treat anxiety and panic attacks.

That medication can cause increased impairment and lead to unexpected behaviour, Quinn said.

Quinn told the court Lapierre gave a heartfelt apology to the officers involved and the behaviour was a departure from the norm for his client.

The court also heard Lapierre is training to be a red-seal pipe fitter, and Quinn said a criminal record would impact his employability.

With the conditional discharge, Lapierre will be under supervision for nine months.

He must also make a $100 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Charlottetown.