Thunder Bay Man Charged Following Overnight Assault Near Simpson and Bethune Streets
Police allege suspect attempted to flee; charges include assault causing bodily harm and breaches of court orders
THUNDER BAY — A 32-year-old man faces four charges after Thunder Bay police investigated an overnight assault near Simpson and Bethune streets on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Thunder Bay Police Service Primary Response officers were dispatched shortly after midnight following a report of an assault. Police say a verbal altercation between two males escalated into a physical assault.
Approximately 45 minutes later, officers located a man matching the suspect’s description near May and Donald streets. Police allege the suspect attempted to flee before officers arrested him.
Paul Ash, 32, is charged with:
- Assault causing bodily harm
- Resisting police
- Failure to comply with a probation order
- Failure to comply with a release order
Ash was remanded into custody following an initial court appearance. The police release did not provide details about the complainant’s injuries or identify the court-order conditions allegedly breached.
What the charges mean
The following explanations describe the Criminal Code provisions generally associated with the charges listed by police. They are not findings about what occurred in this case.
Assault causing bodily harm: Under section 267(b), this offence involves an assault that causes bodily harm to another person. The Criminal Code defines bodily harm as an injury that interferes with a person’s health or comfort and is more than merely passing or minor in nature. The prosecution must prove the assault and resulting bodily harm beyond a reasonable doubt. Police have not released enough information to describe the alleged injuries in this case. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Resisting police: Section 129(a) addresses resisting or deliberately obstructing a peace officer carrying out lawful duties, or someone lawfully assisting that officer. The prosecution must establish the required elements, including that the officer was acting in the lawful execution of their duty. Police allege Ash attempted to flee, but the release does not provide a detailed account of the alleged resistance. Justice Canada
Failure to comply with a probation order: Section 733.1 applies when someone bound by a probation order fails or refuses to follow it without a reasonable excuse. This charge concerns an alleged breach of an existing court order. The police release does not identify the condition involved or the underlying matter that resulted in probation. Justice Canada
Failure to comply with a release order: Section 145(5) generally covers failing, without lawful excuse, to comply with a condition of a release order other than attending court. Release orders set conditions under which an accused person can remain in the community while a case proceeds. Police have not identified the condition allegedly breached here. A release order does not itself establish guilt in the underlying case. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Potential penalties upon conviction
All four offences are hybrid offences, meaning the Crown can proceed by indictment or by summary conviction. That choice affects the available maximum penalty.
| Charge | Maximum imprisonment if prosecuted by indictment |
|---|---|
| Assault causing bodily harm | 10 years |
| Resisting police | 2 years |
| Failure to comply with a probation order | 4 years |
| Failure to comply with a release order | 2 years |
These maximum terms are set out in sections 267, 129, 733.1 and 145 of the Criminal Code. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
If prosecuted by summary conviction, each offence carries a maximum of two years less a day in jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both, under the general summary-conviction penalty provision. None of these four provisions sets a mandatory minimum jail sentence. Justice Canada
Maximum penalties are legal ceilings, not predictions of the sentence an accused person would receive. If there is a conviction, sentencing depends on the proven circumstances, the offender’s circumstances and the applicable sentencing principles.
The maximum terms should not simply be added together to predict a total sentence. Where consecutive sentences are imposed, the Criminal Code requires that the combined punishment not be unduly long or harsh. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Remand is not a sentence
Being remanded into custody means the accused was held in custody as the court process continued. It does not mean the charges have been proven or that a sentence has been imposed for these allegations.
Ash is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Police incident number: TB26040420
