A Princeton man accused of harassing the town’s mayor was ordered by a provincial court judge to keep his distance from Spencer Coyne, Thursday, May 18 in provincial circuit court.
Tom Muir, who was charged earlier this year with causing fear of injury or damage to person or property, entered into a peace bond for a nine-month period.
Muir is ordered to have no communication with Coyne, directly or indirectly, and to not attend Coyne’s workplace, home, or place of worship.
Judge Greg Koturbash told Muir that breaching the conditions of the order would be a criminal offense.
The peace bond resolved the case, and forestalled a scheduled hearing.
Paul Varga, defense counsel for Muir, asked for clarifications on the restrictions of Muir’s bond.
“He wants to know if he can still, as a veteran, go to the Legion and he wants to go there on occasions like Remembrance Day…His concern is that Princeton is such a small town that he might get caught up in a situation where he is wanting to go and have a pint with his friends at the Legion.”
Coyne, who was present in court, stood and told Koturbash he did not wish to stop Muir from attending Remembrance Day.
Varga then asked if Muir could visit the Saturday community market in Veteran’s Square.
“I think what I would do in that situation is if you see Mr. Coyne present, it’s probably not a good idea that you be present,” said Koturbash. “I sure hope you will go in the opposite direction…You have to the take the high road because it’s your name on the order.”
Muir also spoke directly to the judge, saying that he now habitually wears a body camera to record his interactions.
“When I’m accused of things that I haven’t done I’ve got to prove that I don’t do those things,” he said.
There was no submission of an agreed upon statement of facts in the matter.
According to court documents the file was determined to be Reasonable Grounds Satisfied (RGB), which is used when a finding is made that the allegation did take place.
Related: Princeton man faces charge for allegedly harassing mayor
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