Man receives jail and probation in assault of security officer
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. Canada Oct 6 2021— A P.E.I. man who struck a security guard with a board in a Charlottetown clinic parking lot was sentenced for assault on Sept. 27.
Prior to sentencing, Joseph Erwin Augustine Jr., 37, pleaded guilty in provincial court in Charlottetown to assault.
Crown attorney Chad McQuaid told the court that on Sept. 8 at 4:40 p.m., a doctor was leaving the Polyclinic on Grafton Street after his shift and saw Augustine in the parking lot “acting erratically”. The doctor approached Augustine, who swung a board at him but missed. The doctor notified a security guard. Augustine swung the board at the security guard and struck him.
Augustine was arrested and charged. He was also taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital due to his high level of intoxication, said McQuaid.
Augustine’s prior criminal record includes convictions in 2015 for possession of child pornography and obstructing justice and assault in 2019.
A Gladue report from 2018 identifying Augustine’s Aboriginal upbringing was before the court for sentencing. McQuaid noted that Augustine grew up in a home marked by family violence, and he has dealt with mental health issues and substance abuse.
Chief Judge Jeff Lantz sentenced Augustine to 35 days in jail. Augustine was given 28 days credit for time already served in custody.
In addition, Augustine was sentenced to 18 months of probation. During the probation period, he is banned from attending the Polyclinic. Augustine is also prohibited from possessing a weapon for five years and was ordered to write letters of apology to the doctor and the security guard.
