Assault charge stayed against Yellowknife RCMP officer

A charge of assault against a Yellowknife RCMP constable has been stayed after theprosecutor handling the case took it out of the courts and had it dealt with by the local community justice committee.

The victim had said he was intoxicated and fell asleep in the courthouse holding cell. He saidConst. Cory Wallace handcuffed him, dragged him from the cell "like a dog," then punched him in the face, splitting his lip.

Wallace pleaded not guilty to the assault charge but Craig Neely, theSaskatchewan prosecutor who handled the case, says he's convinced Wallace has taken responsibility for his actions.

Neely says that's one reason he decided to have the charge dealt with by the Yellowknife community justice committee instead of in court.

"I heard the acknowledgement of responsibility through his counsel, and my understanding, from the report I received from the justice committee, they heard that as well."

The RCMP said Wallace would be on desk duty until the charge was dealt with. The charge was officially stayed on Monday. But Wallace has been back on active duty since the end of March.

In Aprilhe arrested and jailed the the man he was accused of assaulting.