Lawyers for the four men co-accused in the kidnapping and assault of a Penticton man last May appeared in Penticton court today, November 26.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

PENTICTON - A man accused of viciously assaulting his girlfriend and another man was released on bail in Penticton court, Wednesday, Dec. 29.

Crown Prosecutor Nashina Devji asked that Randall C. Toews be detained on numerous charges including assault stemming from an incident on Martin Street in Penticton on Sept. 11, 2015.

Devji told court police responded to reports of a domestic disturbance on Martin Street where it was reported a man was assaulting a woman in a vehicle parked on the street.

According to a number of eyewitnesses, Toews was seen punching the woman, hitting her head against the steering wheel, kicking the vehicle and slamming the door hard enough to break the window.

The altercation happened when the woman, who was Toews’ girlfriend, ran into an ex-boyfriend’s son, and was seen by Toews talking to him in the car.

He was also seen punching and chasing the man who fled the car following Toews’ arrival. Toews was also alleged to have threatened to kill the man.

The dispute happened in an open area, witnessed by several people. Toews was released following the incident under terms not to see or be in contact with his girlfriend, but on at least two occasions breached those conditions, Devji said.

She described incidents on Dec. 21 and on the 23 when police were called by Toews’ girlfriend. She told police Toews has been using crystal meth and had been awake for three days.

Devji added Toews had “shown a propensity for spousal violence,” adding he had an “exceptionally lengthy criminal record."

Defence lawyer Robert Maxwell contested the two instances of breach, telling court it was Toews’ girlfriend who made the initial contact.

Calling the situation “a bit of a powder keg,” because of the meth use allegations.

None of the allegations have been proven or tested in court at the bail hearing stage. 

“Can I get it through your head you’re going to leave her alone?” Judge Gale Sinclair asked Toews, to which Toews answered, “yes."

"Slam the door and call the police (if she calls),” he told Toews, who was released on $1,000 bail and a restriction from using drugs or alcohol.

Toews' next appearance in court is scheduled for January 6, 2016.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015