Prince George, B.C. – A northern British Columbia member of the legislature has made a first appearance in court on a charge of assault.

Patrick Joseph Pimm, the Liberal MLA for Peace River North, made his first appearance on the charge in Dawson Creek provincial court on Tuesday.

The assault is alleged to have occurred in Dawson Creek in August, 2016 but details surrounding the allegation have not been released.
A publication ban has now been imposed by the judge presiding over the case.

The Criminal Justice branch appointed Michael Klein as special prosecutor in August after Pimm disclosed the allegation and said he was quitting the BC Liberal caucus to sit as an independent MLA while the courts dealt with this case

Klein reviewed the allegations and approved laying the charge again Pimm.

Pimm is to next appear for an arraignment hearing on Oct. 4, 2016.

Pimm stated in November, 2015 that he would not be running in the provincial election in May of 2017.