A former Innisfail teen who was gang bullied and beaten last year in a local park has finally seen justice served. An adult male assailant, charged with assault with a weapon against 15-year-old Aidan Remple, pleaded guilty on Oct. 24 to the offence in Red Deer provincial court.
A former Innisfail teen who was gang bullied and beaten last year in a local park has finally seen justice served. The 21-year-old Innisfail man, who can't be identified as he was originally charged with three young offenders, including a sibling, received 12 months' probation, a $100 fine and a three-year firearms prohibition. The three young males, who were originally charged with assault, all had their charges withdrawn.
An adult male assailant, charged with assault with a weapon against 15-year-old Aidan Remple, pleaded guilty on Oct. 24 to the offence in Red Deer provincial court.
The 21-year-old Innisfail man, who can't be identified as he was originally charged with three young offenders, including a sibling, received 12 months' probation, a $100 fine and a three-year firearms prohibition. The three young males, who were originally charged with assault, all had their charges withdrawn.
"I was happy because I was pretty nervous to go up there and talk in front of the judge. I was pretty happy to get it over with and fast," said Remple, who was only at the courthouse briefly, leaving immediately after a Crown prosecutor told him his attendance was no longer necessary. The teen, who is attending Grade 10 classes at a Red Deer high school, said he did not see his assailant and has had no contact with him since the incident on Aug. 25, 2013.
He said his life has not "overly" changed since the incident almost 15 months ago, which triggered community-wide condemnation and discussion on the issue of bullying.
"I am a little bit more careful now when I go out by myself. I make sure I have my phone with me but overall I don't think it has done much," said the teen, adding he has no regrets about speaking out publicly on the issue of bullying.
I still think it (bullying) needs to stop," said Remple. "I think things are starting to get a little bit better over the past few years. There are a lot of people coming out about it. I still think it (bullying) is a problem that needs to be dealt with."
His father Daren said he is also pleased about the guilty verdict against the assailant, adding he and other bullies must be held accountable.
"That is the main thing because I did not want to see him get away with it," said Daren.
The Aug. 25, 2013 incident began shortly before 8 p.m. when Aidan and a friend were in the park with their longboards. He said his friend attempted to speak to an older boy in the park but was warned his jaw would be broken.
The older boy left the park but returned with six others – including one girl--about 45 minutes later and his friend fled, said Aidan shortly after the incident.
He said he was sitting on his longboard and the gang of seven came out of an alley and walked towards him, ordering him to get up.
As Aidan rose from his longboard he was attacked and his longboard taken.
Aidan said the attack lasted somewhere between one and two minutes. In the meantime, at least two cars drove by and when one man stopped to help Aidan, the teen gang fled with his longboard.
His father Daren said he was shocked when he eventually arrived at the scene to see his son's bloodied head being gently cradled in the hands of neighbour Wayne Strabel.
Aidan was taken to hospital for treatment of a large wound on the back of his head. He received stitches to close the wound and was released.
He and his family have since moved from Innisfail to Red Deer.
