Court stays charges against Indigenous man assaulted by Hamilton police officer

Several charges against an Indigenous man whose violent arrest in Hamilton was caught on camera nearly one year ago were stayed in court Monday.

Police were investigating a stolen vehicle at a gas station on Upper Sherman Ave. on May 26, 2022.

Video recorded by a witness shows Patrick Tomchuk unresponsive as a plain-clothes police officer stomped on his head.

Tomchuk was facing multiple charges, including possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and assault with the intent to resist arrest, among other offences.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton police board to review use of force policy after officer charged with assault

Jenn Steenbeek, the lawyer representing Tomchuk, filed an application saying his client’s freedoms and rights were breached during his arrest.

Const. Brian Wren was suspended and charged with assault in connection with the incident.

Wren pleaded guilty to assault in February and is expected to be sentenced in June.

Following a review of the arrest, police said no other officers involved used excessive force.

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