The OPP say a man is facing numerous charges after making a false statement to police and for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police responded to a report of a possible impaired driver on Highway 17 in Goulais River on March 3 at approximately 3:40 a.m.
“The 9-1-1 call was made by an individual who claimed their partner had just left their residence and was driving under the influence of alcohol,” the OPP said in a news release.
Police did not locate the suspect vehicle, however officers did find a vehicle being driven by the 9-1-1 caller on Highway 17 in Aweres Township.
A traffic stop was conducted, and an investigation determined the driver had consumed alcoholic beverages.
“Officers also confirmed the driver had intentionally mislead police when reporting that their partner was driving impaired. Further investigation revealed the driver had also assaulted their partner the previous evening.”
As a result, the 43-year-old driver, a man from Aweres, was arrested and charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Public Mischief
- Spousal Assault
- Spousal Assault causing bodily harm
- Forcible Confinement
- Domestic Mischief
The accused was held for a bail hearing and subsequently released, and is next scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice this month in Sault Ste. Marie.
"Due to the domestic nature of the incident, the name of the accused will not be released to protect the identity of the victim," the OPP said.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.