B.C. politician charged with assaulting his wife

British Columbia’s former agriculture minister and member of the provincial legislature Pat Pimm is accused of assaulting his wife.

The province’s Criminal Justice Branch announced Monday that Pimm had been charged with one count of assault.

The assault was alleged to have occurred in Dawson Creek on Aug. 13, but the branch is releasing few other details.

Pimm was due to make a first appearance in provincial court in Dawson Creek on Sept. 13.

A special prosecutor was appointed on Aug. 16, the same day Pimm revealed that unspecified allegations had been made against him. He also announced he would quit the B.C. Liberal caucus to sit as an independent while the matter was before the courts.

His statement at the time informed constituents that allegations were brought against him that required him to obtain legal counsel.

Information obtained from the B.C. court registry in Dawson Creek alleged Pimm “did commit assault of Jody Cooper, contrary to Section 266 of the Criminal Code.”

A biography posted on the B.C. Legislative Assembly website said Pimm is married to Jody and has two daughters and two sons.

Pimm, who represents the riding of Peace River North, was first elected in 2009 and appointed agriculture minister in 2013 but left the post after being diagnosed with colon cancer.

He announced in November he would not seek re-election in the May 2017 provincial election.

The Criminal Justice Branch said special prosecutor Michael Klein assessed and approved the charge against Pimm and will conduct the prosecution.