Tara Jeffrey
A Sarnia man is suing the city’s police services board and three officers for $1.25 million after an alleged assault at a north end convenience store, last year.
According to the suit, filed in Ontario Superior Court on Aug. 24, Todd Campbell, 28, alleges he was assaulted by an off-duty police officer while inside the Rosedale Mini Mart, then dragged outside where the beating continued, before he was unlawfully arrested when police arrived.
Named as the defendants are officers Jeffrey Gark, Greg Armstrong and John Doe, along with the Sarnia Police Services Board.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, who chairs the police board, said the claim was served to board member Scott McEachran on Aug. 25, noting that the board would not be commenting at this time.
Following the incident, Campbell filed a complaint against Gark in October, 2016. The officer pled guilty to assault and was sentenced to a conditional discharge with 12 months probation.
The suit alleges that officers later returned to the store and instructed the owner to delete the surveillance tape, which had captured a portion of the assault.
Before the tape was erased, criminal lawyer Sarah Donahue also attended the store, and recorded the surveillance footage on her cell phone.
The statement of claim notes that, due to the incident, Campbell has suffered nervous shock, post-traumatic stress disorder, ongoing anxiety and depression, and acquired a brain injury.
According to the document, the identity of the third officer, listed as John Doe, is unknown to the plaintiff.
A statement of claim contains allegations that have not been proven in court.