 Panagiotis Merris (R) and another man at Toronto's College Park courthouse. (MICHAEL PEAKE/TORONTO SUN)
|
TORONTO -- A Toronto man accused of slugging a Toronto parking enforcement officer on the Danforth has been released from jail on $10,000 bail.
Panagiotis Merris, 44, stood emotionless inside a prisoner dock at College Park court as three charges were read against him Tuesday.
Merris, a hulking man, rubbed his hands and didn’t say much in court as his lawyer, through a Greek interpreter, made arrangements for his release.
A ban on publication was issued on court proceedings.
The autobody worker was also released a number of conditions; one being that he takes anger management classes.
His lawyer Peter Thorning accused police of arresting the wrong suspect.
“He has been falsely charged and intends to plead not guilty,” Thorning said outside court. “It is an unfortunate situation but it is not uncommon.”
He called the suspect a “a regular working guy.”
Police said the parking enforcement officer was tagging vehicles in the Danforth and Carlaw Aves. area Sunday when the driver of one car walked up to him and punched him in the face.
The suspect fled and surrendered to 55 Division on Monday night, police said.
The officer, who visited a neurologist on Tuesday, now suffers from headaches, a bruise to the brain and short-term memory loss, police said.
Merris was ordered not to operate a motor vehicle, stay away from Danforth Ave., not to be in contact with the complainant and to keep the peace.
The Justice of the Peace also ordered that he not possess any weapons.
Merris has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle in relation to the incident.
He will return to court on April 14.
