A 20-year-old man from Elsipogtog First Nation has pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer during a violent anti-shale gas protest in Rexton last fall.
Robert Michael Augustine admitted in Moncton provincial court that he threw rocks at RCMP officers who were part of a police line keeping people away from the protest area on Oct. 17, 2013.
The protest on Route 134 near Rexton on Oct. 17, 2013, turned violent when police moved in to enforce a court injunction that prohibited protesters from interfering with the seismic exploration work. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
Augustine was given a 24-month conditional discharge.
He was also ordered not to attend any shale gas protests, to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, and to complete 50 hours of community service work.
The protest on Route 134 near Rexton turned violent when police moved in to enforce a court injunction that prohibited protesters from interfering with the seismic exploration work of SWN Resources Canada.
About 40 people were arrested that day and six RCMP vehicles were destroyed by fire.
Cpl. Yann Audoux has described the violent clash between RCMP and anti-shale gas protesters as one of the most volatile situations he has ever faced.
