A Campbellton RCMP officer who assaulted a homeless man during an arrest has been sentenced to four months in jail, a tougher penalty than the Crown and defence recommended.

Video of the incident in 2021, taken by a passerby, showed Const. Pierrick Caron pinning André Mercier to the ground and punching him 19 times.

Caron was found guilty in February after a trial on an assault charge,

On Thursday, Caron, who was put on administrative duties after the incident, sat in court next to his partner, who held her head in her hands and cried out when the jail term was announced. 

The decision by Provincial Court Judge Brigitte Sivret appeared to come as a surprise to many in the small courtroom, including two rows filled with police officers in uniform. 

The jail term was ordered despite a joint recommendation by the defence and Crown that Caron do 150 hours of community service and no jail time.

'Abuse of professional authority,' says judge

In her sentencing, Sivret said, in French, that Caron's actions following the arrest at a Tim Hortons on July 2, 2021, showed "a serious lack of control."

She also said the moment was "not a simple error in judgment," and that his actions, shared widely through video footage, "shocked the community."

 

Video shows alleged misconduct by Campbellton police

Officer appears to strike suspect several times in the head and chest area in video.

According to the statement of facts, witnesses implored Caron to stop as he was assaulting Mercier.

Caron had testified he was punching Mercier as a means to distract him and control the situation, not hurt him.

Mercier was not present in court Thursday. According to the judge, he was "too nervous" to file an impact statement with victim services and, it's not known if Mercier remains homeless.

Outside the courthouse, Caron's defence lawyer, Alison Ménard, said they respect the judge's decision but she expects her client to file an appeal.