A photo taken of the crime scene last Thursday at Sandy Bay. (submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Judge grants release of youth charged in assault case

Nov 27, 2019 | 2:54 PM

Four youth charged in connection to a violent incident at Sandy Bay last week have been released from custody on strict conditions.

All four teenage boys appeared at Prince Albert Provincial Court Wednesday morning before a crowded courtroom, filled mostly with family members. One of the boys could be seeing crying, and wiping his eyes, when he saw his family sitting in the public gallery.

Last Thursday, a 26-year-old man was attacked in his home in the northern community. Family members have identified the victim as Justin Bird, who at last word was on life support at a Saskatoon hospital. Bird’s mother Sheri Bird, who is with her son in hospital, told paNOW her son has been moving his arms and legs but has not responded to verbal commands from doctors.

“They did an MRI and they found some blood in his brain and now we are hoping it just clears up,” she said, adding she has been told by doctors her son just needs time to heal and that the blood in the brain is preventing him from waking up.

Bird explained her son suffered a similar incident in Prince Albert six years ago, and as a result of the assault suffered from seizures. Bird said her son was told he could not get hit in the head again.

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“Every day we are with him, trying to make him wake up,” she said.

The two adults charged in the case, remain in custody and have pending court dates. The four boys have been scheduled to make their next court appearances Dec. 18.

In accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and a publication ban, the youth cannot be identified, and paNOW also cannot publish the release conditions.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell