Suspect Involved in Cobourg Stabbing Denied Bail

Pete Fisher
1 year ago
• Categories: Local

(Today’s Northumberland file photo)

The suspect involved in a stabbing incident was denied bail at Cobourg Provincial Court on Thursday, August 3, 2023.

Forty-three-year-old Brad Johnson from Cobourg was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and four counts of utter threats to cause bodily harm stemming from a stabbing incident on Monday, July 24, 2023 at a Major Street home in Cobourg.

At around 6 a.m. police were called to the area of Major Street in Cobourg’s east end for a person who was stabbed.

The 39-year-old victim walked to an address on Division Street where he was treated by paramedics and transported to hospital with a stab wound to the back.

Police described the injury as “serious”, but the victim was later released from hospital.

At a bail hearing on Thursday, during submissions to Justice of the Peace Jack LeBlanc, Assistant Crown Janine D’Souza stated there was more than one witness and if convicted Johnson would be facing a lengthy sentence.

“Facing a lengthy sentence on this type of incident giving his prior record, it’s the Crown’s submission he should be detained.”

Duty counsel Brad Pearson argued the Johnson should get bail based on the sureties testimony.

“Three unwanted parties who don’t live in this home, come into this home. It’s a rooming house. They have no business being there at 6 a.m in the morning. Where they come in and cause a ruckus.”

Pearson stated there was a “altercation” between one of the three individuals and Johnson.

The victim of the stabbing is alleged to have “intervened” and the stabbing occurred.

“Many of the names involved in this case are sadly known to the court for criminal activity,” stating there may be a credibility issue.

Pearson added, actually who did the stabbing likely won’t be an issue, “but how that all came to play is something for another court to determine at another date.”

D’Souza rebutted stating Johnson left to retrieve the weapon and came back.

Saying any reasonable person would have called the police.

“He didn’t. He retried a weapon and came back to confront a group of people.”

LeBlanc stated Johnson’s criminal record dates back to 1994 for possession of a weapon, assault with a weapon x 2, assault x2, attempt break and enter, theft, failing to comply with probation, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm while prohibited.

“Mr. Johnson is not a person to be released given his criminal record.”

With the surety offering $2,000, LeBlanc denied bail.

Johnson returns to Cobourg Court on August 9, 2023 to be spoken to.