Judge releases video of Halifax officer assaulting homeless man

A Halifax Regional Police officer has been found guilty of assault causing bodily harm for punching a homeless man last year outside a shelter, an incident that was captured on video surveillance.

Judge Laurel Halfpenny-Macquarrie ruled Wednesday in Halifax provincial court that Const. Laurence Gary Basso wasn't justified when he hit Patrice Simard after being called to remove him from the Metro Turning Point shelter.

The defence had argued that Simard had punched Basso, 38, in the leg, but Halfpenny-Macquarrie found that was not the case. She ruled Basso's response wasn't proportionate and said the constable broke Simard's nose.

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