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A former Edmonton landlord who "flipped out" and punched a public health inspector several times was handed a weekend jail sentence yesterday.
Mohammad Yasmin Hashem, 39, was ordered to serve 60 days on weekends at the Edmonton Remand Centre after earlier being convicted of one count of assault.
Provincial court Judge John Henderson said public officials have an "entitlement to safety" while carrying out their lawful duties in their work environment.
"An assault on public officials will simply not be tolerated," said Henderson.
Hashem was also placed on probation for one year and ordered to take treatment and counselling as directed, specifically for anger management.
Alberta Health Services officials said it is the first assault on a public health inspector in at least 16 years.
Hashem was convicted on Monday following a trial.
FAILED TO SHOW
Court heard then that Hashem had failed to show up for a Dec. 10, 2008, meeting with health inspectors regarding him renting out a basement apartment in the west end which had been condemned over too small windows.
Inspector Chris Rolfe called Hashem on the phone and the landlord swore at him repeatedly.
An inspection was rescheduled for Dec. 12 and Rolfe went to the building accompanied by his supervisor.
'FLIPPED OUT'
As Rolfe introduced himself to Hashem, the landlord "flipped out" and grabbed the inspector by the jacket and punched him several times on the arms.
Court heard Rolfe was also headbutted during the melee, resulting in him suffering a black eye, but Henderson ruled he had a reasonable doubt as to whether it was done intentionally or accidentally.
The inspector also suffered stiff shoulders and was taken by ambulance to hospital following the assault.
Court heard Hashem, a former plumber who got into real estate but lost his properties when the market crashed, has three prior assault convictions on his rap sheet.
He was also ordered to pay a $50 victim fine surcharge.
TONY.BLAIS@SUNMEDIA.CA