The accused was charged with aggravated assault, uttering death threats, mischief under $5,000, and breach of recognizance following an altercation with his girlfriend at a family gathering.
The complainant suffered a broken jaw after the accused punched her once in the face.
The accused raised self-defence, testifying that the heavily intoxicated complainant lunged at him with a large pair of scissors.
The court found the accused's and his witnesses' evidence more reliable than the complainant's.
The court held that the Crown failed to disprove self-defence beyond a reasonable doubt, as the accused reasonably believed he was in imminent danger and his response was reasonable in the circumstances.
The accused was acquitted of all charges.
