2024-07-11 Press Release

Male out on Bail Twice in Two Days Continues to Commit Offences

On the 6^th of July 2024 Smiths Falls Police had responded to a disturbance on Helen St. Upon arrival, officers were confronted by a male who broke into his neighbours’ house. Upon arrest the male kicked the officer in the face and resisted arrest. The male was held for bail but released on conditions by a JP the next day. Thankfully the neighbour and the officer didn’t receive injuries.

On the 8^th of July 2024 police responded to the same male assaulting another neighbour and threatened death to that neighbour. The male then fled on foot when police arrived. Police chased him on foot and arrested him for assault, uttering death threats and held him for bail. He was again released on bail with conditions by a Justice of the Peace the next day and allowed back to that area.

Shortly after midnight on the 11^th of July, police received a call regarding a disturbance on Helen St. The same male was involved in another altercation with another person. He now faces 12 charges relating to assault, trespass, assault with a weapon and breach of his release orders. Ben Duhamel age 35 years was held for another bail hearing.

“This is a prime example on why police continue to advocate for tougher bail reform or even having tougher bail conditions that they would need to comply with the first time at bail, for the safety of our community.”

Constable David Murphy- Court officer Smiths Falls Police