The case of a Harbour Round man charged with assaulting is common-law partner just before Christmas may be resolved when he appears in provincial court again Friday.
Joseph Douglas Payne, 41, is charged with six offences, including three counts of uttering threats and single counts of forcible confinement and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
The charges stem from a domestic disturbance the RCMP responded to in Harbour Round on Dec. 23. It is alleged that Payne assaulted his partner and prevented her from phoning police, though she did manage to get way from him and call police from a neighbour’s house.
When the RCMP arrived, they reported being confronted by a knife-wielding Payne. He eventually heeded a warning to drop the knife, with one officer having a pistol drawn.
Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the incident, according to the RCMP.
Payne, who was denied bail Dec. 29, was back in provincial court in Corner Brook Tuesday. Legal aid lawyer Sandi MacKinnon told Judge Wayne Gorman she was in discussions with the Crown regarding he case and hoped to be able to proceed with a speedy disposition of the matters by the end of the week.
Crown attorney Lori St. Croix told the court she would be proceeding by way of summary conviction on all of the charges, meaning any sentences would be at the lower end of the range. She will canvass Payne’s partner for a victim impact statement, if the complainant wished to submit one to the court, in time for Friday’s court date.
gkean@thewesternstar.com
