Intimate partner violence, impaired driving charges laid in Mattice-Val Cote

Following complaints of intimate partner violence in the northern Ontario community of Mattice-Val Cote, police say they found the suspect drunk and behind the wheel in a parking lot.

Officers from the James Bay detachment responded to the report around noon Monday and developed grounds for criminal charges through an investigation, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release.

The male suspect was located around 3 p.m. in a vehicle in a Neegan Crescent parking lot.

"Officers determined that the driver of the vehicle had been consuming an alcoholic beverage and the driver was arrested and transported to the Hearst detachment for further testing," OPP said.

The 59-year-old local man is charged with spousal assault with a weapon, criminal harassment by repeated communication, four counts of failing to comply with an undertaking, dangerous operation, impaired driving by alcohol and a blood alcohol concentration of 80 plus.

He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Hearst on Tuesday.

The vehicle has been impounded for seven days and the accused has had their driver's license suspended for 90 days.

Survivor support

Confidential and free support is available for people experiencing violence. In an emergency, call 911.

"If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you're not alone," police said.

"Help and support are available. Please reach out to the Cochrane District Victim Services 24-hour crisis line at 1-877-264-4208 for assistance and guidance. In emergencies, don't hesitate to call 911."

• Assaulted Women's Helpline 1-866-863-0511
• Fem'aide Helpline 1-877-336-2433
• Talk4Healing for Indigenous women 1-855-554-4325
• National Domestic Violence Hotline