GUELPH – A Guelph man has been arrested and charged in what police are describing as hate-related assaults on two Muslim victims.
On Sept. 23 at about 7:10pm, two men were talking in front of a residence near the intersection of College Avenue West and Scottsdale Drive in Guelph. Guelph Police say a third man unknown to the victims wrapped “his arms around one of the victim’s neck and pulled his right arm across the victim’s throat, simulating slitting his throat.”
The man “then approached the other victim, began pushing him and accosting both victims for being Muslim,” police say. “He then proceeded to bear hug the victim. The victim pushed him away and tried to flee to his vehicle that was parked in the driveway. The male followed the victim inside his vehicle and continued accosting him for being Muslim. The victim then contacted the Guelph Police Service for assistance and the male fled on foot.”
At 7:19pm, police located the man a short distance away and he was subsequently arrested. A 45-year-old Guelph man was charged with two counts of assault. He was held in custody pending a bail hearing on Sept. 24.
