Probation for man who played role in violent attack

A record producer who played a role in a targeted attack at a Niagara Falls residence that sent two men to hospital has been placed on probation for three years.

Darnel Rhooms, 29, appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to a charge of assault.

The Brampton resident had initially been charged with aggravated assault, robbery and forcible confinement.

He pleaded guilty to the lesser offence following a preliminary hearing, which is held to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Defence lawyer Adam Newman said there would have been issues for the court to determine if the matter had proceeded.

“We were heading to a comedy of errors with certain witnesses,” he said.

Justice Joseph De Filippis agreed, saying one witness who testified at the preliminary hearing was “suffice it to say, not a very strong witness.”

On April 30, 2018, court was told, Rhooms and an unnamed man entered an apartment on McGrail Avenue and confronted two men inside.

Niagara Regional Police responded to the home at about 2 a.m. to what was initially described as a shooting. An investigation determined there was no shooting, but one occupant had been struck by a blunt object.

Paramedics transported both men to a local hospital. One was treated and released, while the other was taken by air ambulance to an out-of-region trauma centre with serious injuries.

Newman said his client, whom he described as a record producer and distributor, was “a party” to the assault but did not inflict any injuries on the two men.

Court was told the incident was related to a drug deal involving a quarter-ounce of cocaine that had occurred earlier that day.

In addition to probation, Rhooms was banned from having any firearms in his possession for 10 years.