Having brass knuckles costs city man

SUMMERSIDE — Possessing a prohibited weapon will cost a Summerside man $500.

Jonathan Bolusi, 24, pleaded guilty in provincial court Thursday to possessing brass knuckles, which is considered a prohibited weapon under the Criminal Code.

Upon his arrest, a drunken Bolusi told police he didn’t know that it was against the law to own brass knuckles.

“Ignorance of the law is no excuse,” said Judge Jeff Lantz in sentencing the city man.

It was shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 that police were called to Dooly’s in Summerside after receiving a complaint that Bolusi was drunk and causing a disturbance. He had been asked to leave the business but was standing outside being aggressive to staff.

Police arrived and found Bolusi walking down the street, intoxicated and unsteady on his feet. He was told to stay away from Dooly’s before police went back to talk to the employee.

That was when the employee informed police that Bolusi had been yelling and screaming while inside the business and showed the brass knuckles, which he then put in his front pocket.

The officer left and caught up with Bolusi who maintained the weapon was actually a belt buckle. While in custody, still drunk, Bolusi repeatedly asked for his ‘knucks’, saying that he paid $30 for them and that they had cleared customs.

Lantz said that throwing a simple closed-fist punch can be deadly, adding, “I shudder to think what would happen if someone hit someone with brass knuckles.”

In addition to the $500 fine, Bolusi must pay a $45 victim surcharge.