(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Guilty plea entered after violent assault at Prince Albert business

Jul 23, 2024 | 1:00 PM

A man charged with assaulting the assistant store manager at a Prince Albert business, has taken responsibility for his crime and now awaits sentencing.

Joey Anthony Cook appeared Tuesday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. The case was initially scheduled for trial but instead a guilty plea was entered to aggravated assault.

A pre-sentence report, which will canvass Cook’s past and be used to assist the judge, was ordered. The case was also adjourned to Sept. 24.

On Nov. 27, 2023, a staff member at the Shopper’s Drug Mart location at the South Hill mall, confronted a customer who was allegedly shoplifting. A confrontation ensued which resulted in the employee being seriously injured.

A source close to the incident told paNOW the staff member was punched and while wrestling with the suspect, was slammed to the floor which resulted in them having a seizure.

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The employee was then transported to Saskatoon for treatment, and later released.

Cook was reportedly contained by a bunch of customers before police were able to arrest him.

When Judge Harradence asked Cook if he understood the consequences of a guilty plea, and the likelihood he was going to jail, Cook replied yes.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell