A bloody violent fight between two men in Charlottetown has resulted in one of them pleading guilty to assault causing bodily harm.
Christopher John Lambe, 44, was sentenced to 7.5 months in jail in provincial court in Charlottetown Monday for his involvement in a fight with James Michael Wright that sent both men to hospital.
Wright is also facing charges of assault with a weapon and will appear in court May 3.
It is not clear how the altercation started on Nov. 29 at the intersection of Euston and Hillsborough streets in Charlottetown. Lambe says he was skateboarding down the street when Wright yelled at him, and Wright says he was walking to Ken’s Corner when Lambe shouted at him.
However, witnesses at the scene said Wright took a baseball bat and struck Lambe on the head more than once.
Lambe retaliating was captured on cellphone video by one of the witnesses.
“I couldn’t watch it ... I watched a little bit, and it made me sick to my stomach to see me like that. I don’t remember that.”
-Christopher John Lambe
Lambe states he remembers being hit a couple of times, but then blacks out and doesn’t recall what happened afterwards.
“Mr. Wright is clearly in the wrong for striking Mr. Lambe with the baseball bat and causing him to have injuries. Mr. Lambe is in the wrong for pursuing and persisting with his retaliation upon Mr. Wright,” said Crown attorney Lisa Goulden.
When police arrived, Wright was lying on the ground with his jacket covering his head with a great deal of blood covering his face and jacket.
Lambe was sitting on the ground near Wright with blood covering his face.
A baseball bat on the ground between them was covered in blood.
Lambe had a laceration to his skull, which resulted in eight staples in his head. Wright sustained fractures to his skull and jaw.
Defence attorney Thane MacEachern says this assault is out of character for Lambe.
Lambe has been in custody since Nov. 29.
“He’s indicated that it has been difficult for him. He’s been having headaches, night-terrors, flashbacks,” said MacEachern. “He’s had a lot of sleepless nights.”
Lambe apologized to the court for having to watch the video of the altercation.
“I couldn’t watch it,” admits Lambe. “I watched a little bit, and it made me sick to my stomach to see me like that. I don’t remember that.”
He says on the day of the incident, he was going to get photos for the Weather Network and then was heading to the skateboard park to film a trick for his Instagram account.
“I didn’t wake up thinking I’m going to be getting remanded,” said Lambe. “This is so out of character for me. That’s not me. I swear, that’s not me. I’m not like that. I hate fighting. I hate violence. I’m so sorry for wasting the court’s time.”
Lambe was credited for time and a half served. He was placed on 12 months of probation, received a weapons’ prohibition and must provide a DNA sample.
He must also pay $200 to the victims of crime fund and have no contact with Wright.
Editor's note: The Guardian has made a change to this story, taking out a statement from his lawyer that Christopher Lambe volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club. In fact, the club's executive director says Lambe was a client of the club seven years ago and used to take it upon himself to help out but was not an official volunteer. During his time as a client, he did not have contact with the children who attend the club and he is no longer associated with the organization.