Bail hearing set for resident alleged to have assaulted police with shovel

A bail hearing has been set for Richard Douglas Houghton, on whom Moose Jaw police used a conducted energy weapon — or taser — after he allegedly caused a disturbance on South Hill.

Houghton appeared by phone in Moose Jaw provincial court on April 7. The Crown opposed his release, while a judge ordered a show-cause (bail) hearing on April 12. The court docket showed that Houghton is accused of assaulting a woman with a knife, assaulting a police officer with a shovel, attempting to commit a break-in, and causing mischief under $5,000 by allegedly damaging a Chrysler van.

According to information previously released, police were dispatched to a home on South Hill on April 7 at 1:35 a.m. for a report about an ongoing break and enter, where the subject was said to be armed with a knife. Upon arrival, police encountered Houghton in the backyard holding a shovel, who threatened officers with the implement.

Officers attempted to negotiate with him to drop the shovel, but he refused to comply with police commands. Houghton allegedly continued to threaten police with the shovel and then advanced toward them with the makeshift weapon. This forced an officer to discharge a taser, which stopped the threat and enabled police to take the man into custody without further incident.

EMS attended to Houghton’s medical needs afterward. Moose Jaw provincial court met on April 12th and due to publishing deadlines, no information was available at the time.