Police believe stabbing victim was targeted
ALLAN BENNER
Niagara Regional Police are reassuring area residents about their safety after a woman was stabbed and assaulted at Pic Leeson Park a week ago.
NRP media relations specialist Stephanie Sabourin said via email Monday that the attack against the woman in her early 20s was not random.
“Police do not believe residents in the area are in danger,” she said. “It is believed the victim was targeted.”
The attack against the woman, whom police have not identified, happened at about 11 p.m., Aug. 11, after two men followed her along Bloomfield Avenue, from Dundonald Street to Pic Leeson Park, while making rude comments toward her.
Police reported that the woman turned around to face the men when she reached the park, and one of the men hit her several times, knocking her to the ground. One of the men stabbed in the torso with a knife, and she was knocked unconscious.
The woman was taken to hospital where she underwent surgery for the significant injuries she sustained.
Sabourin said the woman has since been released from hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
The victim reported the assault to police, although no other details were provided.
She said the eight-day delay in publicly releasing information about the assault was a result of the investigation that took place after the incident was reported to police.
Sabourin said detectives are not yet in a position to say what charges will be laid against the suspects, once they are in custody.
Both suspects are described as white and 25 to 30 years old. One suspect was wearing glasses and a red shirt, had a muscular build and weighed about 150 pounds with tanned skin. The second suspect wore a black mask.
Police said both suspects are believed to have been wearing graffiti apparel and are known to carry graffiti pens and spray paint.
Criminal proceedings against a St. Catharines veterinarian charged with 16 counts of animal cruelty have again been deferred, as a result of a hearing Monday in a St. Catharines courtroom.
The court case against Dr. Mahavir Rekhi, who faces eight counts each of causing unnecessary pain or suffering and failing to provide suitable and adequate care to an animal, was put over to be spoken to on Oct. 16.
The charges against the veterinarian include eight counts of causing unnecessary pain or suffering to an animal, as well as eight counts of failing to provide suitable and adequate care for an