Suspended senator Patrick Brazeau released on bail, going to rehab

Patrick Brazeau is escorted into the Gatineau Court House in Gatineau, Quebec on Thursday, April 10, 2014.

Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

April 12, 2014 - 7:27 PM

GATINEAU, Que. - Facing assault, drug and other charges, a rumpled-looking Patrick Brazeau agreed Friday to go into rehab as a condition of being granted bail.

The suspended senator was released from custody on $5,000 bail a day after being charged in connection with what police describe as a violent domestic disturbance.

As a condition of his release, Brazeau was given 72 hours to check himself into a rehabilitation facility in the Quebec municipality of Saint-Andre-d'Argenteuil, which is located along the Ottawa River just south of the town of Lachute.

The Melaric rehab centre is a stately-looking facility with stone buildings situated on a picturesque landscaped riverside property.

"He's going to live there 24/7 unless he obtains permission from one of the (rehab centre's) representatives," said Crown prosecutor Stephany Robitaille.

Brazeau, unshaven and wearing the same clothes he had on when he was brought to court Thursday, stared at the judge Friday as his bail conditions were read, speaking only a few words in French to confirm that he understood what was being said.

He also faces a curfew and has to be home or at the rehab centre between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Brazeau wasn't required to pay his bail before being released. Instead, he would have to come up with the cash if he breaches any one of his bail conditions.

The former Conservative was arrested early Thursday in Gatineau, Que., on charges of assault, uttering death threats and threats to cause harm, cocaine possession and breach of bail conditions.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges when he appeared in court shortly after being arrested but the prosecution opposed his release so he spent the night in jail.

He was taken into custody after an incident that took place early Thursday morning at a home in Gatineau that was described as an altercation between a man and a woman.

Police said the woman alleged she was assaulted and another 50-year-old man who was inside the house, described as the woman's friend, also said he was assaulted and threatened.

Brazeau was already due to appear in court Friday on charges of assault and sexual assault in relation to an incident from February, 2013.

Brazeau's lawyer, Gerard Larocque, asked for — and was granted — a postponement of proceedings against Brazeau on the earlier charges.

That case, in which Brazeau has also pleaded not guilty to all charges, now comes back to court Apr. 25 to set a date for trial.

Brazeau also faces charges of fraud and breach of trust in connection with his Senate expense claims.

Last year the Senate ordered Brazeau to pay back almost $50,000 over disputed expense claims. He refused, and the Senate garnisheed his salary until last November, when he was suspended without pay.