Man viciously beats Nanaimo security guard and attacked stranger in Campbell River

The incident began several minutes prior when a separate security guard noticed the offender breaking the window of a vacant commercial unit at University Village Shopping Centre on Fifth St.

Nanaimo RCMP were called, and an intoxicated Patrick ran off.

Police made unsuccessful attempts to find Patrick, then about a half-hour later just after midnight on Jan. 12, 2022 he returned to the shopping centre where he confronted the victim near the 7-Eleven convenience store.

The victim, who NanaimoNewsNOW chose not to identify, told Patrick to leave the property.

Patrick then became verbally aggressive and approached the victim, who called 911.

A punch to the face was delivered by Patrick, sending the security guard into the snow.

Patrick then unleashed a series of kicks to the victim’s head and face area with steel-toe boots, landing several damaging strikes.

The victim yelled “help” continuously to the 911 operator as an aggressive Patrick was heard threatening and assaulting the guard.

A portion of the beating was captured on video surveillance.

Paramedics showed up and took the victim to hospital, while Patrick was arrested without incident in front of the nearby Dollarama across the street.

A written impact statement from the former guard was submitted to the court, outlining the life-altering impacts of the attack.

He’s been unable to work since and can no longer play with his young son.

The victim suffers from major depressive disorder, anxiety, fears large crowds and can’t return to the area where he was beaten.

While his right arm prevented potentially serious head injuries, constantly blocking kicks caused permanent nerve damage and chronic pain, court was told.

“Everything has changed in my lifestyle, there is nothing the same anymore,’ the man wrote.

He reported being barely able to sleep due to chronic arm pain and hasn’t found medication to ease his discomfort.

While WorksSafeBC is helping to absorb his losses, the man stated he’s lost valuable income and has had to take out loans to make ends meet.

“There is no end to the struggle because I’m not able to work.”

Court was told the man will reluctantly have to transition to a desk job due to his physical limitations.

Six months prior to the damaging overnight assault in Nanaimo’s Harewood neighbourhood, Patrick was responsible for an egregious episode of impaired driving and assault in Campbell River.

The Crown’s Holland informed the provincial court sentencing hearing that on July 15, 2021, Patrick was driving his Dodge Ram pick-up through a residential neighbourhood in Campbell River.

A woman walking her dog on Springbok Rd. reported hearing an engine revving and tires squealing.

She estimated Patrick was travelling upwards of 100 kilometres an hour in the 50 km/h subdivision when he barrelled into two parked vehicles, a trailer and a street light pole.

Several neighbours heard the carnage and came out of their homes to see Patrick tried to drive away.

While being confronted, Patrick took off his shirt, claimed he just got out of the military and said he’d kill one of the Good Samaritans, whom the offender punched several times in the head.

The Crown’s Holland said police described the scene as chaotic.

“He admitted he consumed 26 ounces of vodka and passed out while driving. The accused was arrested and proceeded to hit his head on the divider in the police vehicle causing a large gash on his forehead.”

Patrick was reported to be belligerent at hospital in Campbell River.

A forensic evaluation categorized Patrick as a moderately high risk to re-offend, flagging significant concerns about his addiction to alcohol and various hard drugs.

“He hasn’t gone to treatment to deal with his underlying issues and deal with his risk,” the Crown’s Holland argued.

She said Patrick made conflicting statements in his forensic evaluation about dealing with the negative effects of a failed marriage and the death of his mother.

Holland requested nine months in jail, followed by two years probation.

“Deliberate attacks in public are regrettably becoming all too common. This is unnecessary and senseless violence.”

Patrick’s lawyer pushed for a two-year conditional sentence order (non-custodial), including 10 months of house arrest.

Defence counsel argued Patrick “needs help, not jail” and that Patrick was “broken” as a result of his mother’s death.

Court was told Patrick was introduced to alcohol as a young teenager and morphed into a full-blown alcoholic when he was 18.

Patrick is a Nanaimo-based roofer who’s attempting to start his own company.

The offender, a father of two sons, would rather not attend a residential treatment centre due to his desire to reverse his poor financial situation.

His only other criminal conviction is a dated theft charge from Alberta.

Judge Chris Churchill is expected to render his judgment in the new year.

Patrick is not in custody and hasn’t breached any court-ordered conditions since his second arrest in Nanaimo.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

Man viciously beats Nanaimo security guard and attacked stranger in Campbell River

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