4-— Friday, FeSruary 20. 1998 — North Shore News

‘West Van cop loses ™

appeal over assault

Anna Marie D'Angelo
News Reporter

A West Vancouver police officer lost
his appeal on Feb. 10 after being
convicted of assault causing bodily
harm about one year ago.

Cpl. Shane Barber received an absolute
discharge tor the offence, meaning he has no
criminal record and did not receive a fine or
serve a sentence for the offence.

Despite that, Barber appealed the deci-
sion on the basis that the off-duty police
officer had acted in self-defence.

B.C. Supreme Court Mr. Justice William
Grist in Chilliwack agreed with 3 lower court
ruling that Barber had used excessive force
when he beat up a suspected drunk driver in
Abborsford.

According to a Supreme Court decision,
Barber and his wife were in their car on June
11, 1994 when they notice a motorist iravel-
ling in a “reckless and dangerous” way in an
Abbotsfurd neighborhood. Barber called

Abbowstord police and toilowed the vchicle
until it pulied over.

Barber got out or his car and went over to
the vehicle. The engine was sti running.
Vhe driver, Gurfinder Singh Varing, knocked
away Barber's hand as the off-dutw officer
tried to pull the keys aut of the ignition.

Barber then opened the door and “pulled

the driver from the driver’s seat onto the | Name: Edward Rich

ground.” Varing resisted staving on the Age: 38

ground. Barber hir Varing twice in the head, © Offences: theft, possessing
stolen property, failing to 20 to

injuring one of his eves in the fight.
The provincial court judge who initially court
sentenced Barher said that because Varing
didn't land any “blows” on the West Van
police officer, it was unreasonable and exces-
sive use tor Barber to hit Varing once in the
head “tet alone twice.”
Varing was later jailed 14 davs, fined
$450 and had his driver's licence suspended
for 12 months after being convicted of
impaired driving following the incident.
Barber works in the West Vancouver
Police traffic section. He veas unavailable for
cOMMeNt to press time.

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