Canada: Farmer charged with assault for fending off thieves

Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:52 pm » by **Illuminated**

Farmer charged with assault after hatchet attack

Farmer charged with assault after hatchet attack
Calgary Herald October 27, 2010 Comments (64)
A Taber farmer who smashed a suspected burglar in the face with a hatchet is facing assault charges.

On May 29, a couple arrived at their home northwest of Taber to discover an unfamiliar vehicle parked in the driveway. The 46-year-old homeowner parked behind the vehicle, trapping it, while he fetched a hatchet, RCMP said.

The man searched the house and found no one inside but soon encountered a man in his 20s trying to escape in the blocked car.

Police said the homeowner struck the man twice with the blunt end of a hatchet, smashing his teeth and face.

The injured suspect ran off but police tracked him down to his home.

Police arrested two other men on a road near the house. All three were charged with breaking and entering.

Now, five months later, police have charged the homeowner with assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm.

"Under the Criminal Code, people can use degrees of force when protecting property or a person, but there are limitations, especially if the courts determine it to be excessive force," said Sgt. Patrick Webb.

Joseph Bradley Singleton, 46, is charged with assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm.

http://www.canada.com/news/Farmer+charg ... story.html

.......probably give the thieves a deal to take down the honest citizen! upside down world!

Sat Oct 30, 2010 2:52 pm » by **Kalinsaast**

I remember about 11 years ago here in the UK there was a farmer who was in bed one night. He was awoken by the noise of glass being broken downstairs, so he go up grabbed his shotgun and went to investigate. He got downstairs in the pitch black and was jumped by 2 men "Gypsies" who intended to rob his place. There was a struggle and the farmer shot one of the men and then shot the other. The one he shot first was 16 and died there and then. Shot to the back. The other got shot in the leg and managed to get away even though injured. Remember this all happened in the dark, he was defending himself. So he acted in self defense. Guess what he got 3 life sentences. Talk about a massive WTF? :headscratch:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2000/apr/2 ... n.ukcrime3

You have judges banging people up for a year.... years and a half non payment of fines and minor incidents like fights, drunk and disorderly etc. Another things that really grinds my gears is the amount of child molesters and rapists that do the most horrendous things and end up serving 5 or 6 months max , when the people they have hurt will have to suffer for life. We truly live in Topsy turvy land. :bang;