Timmins youth charged with assault after online video surfaces

A Timmins teen has been charged in relation to an assault that was recorded and posted on a social media website, city police say.

The youth, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was arrested on April 19 after police investigated a recording of the assault, which also showed numerous bystanders cheering on the aggressor, police report.

The accused has been released from police custody, but is expected to be in court at a later date to answer the charge stemming from the Sept. 18 incident., which took place at a house party in Timmins.

The name of the accused cannot be made public in keeping with the stipulations of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Police officers were made aware of the assault video after they went to École secondaire catholique Thériault to look into another social media post, which was unrelated to the assault video.

Counselors called in

Meanwhile, counselors have been called in to help students at a French Catholic high school in Timmins after another inappropriate video started circulating on social media.

Spokesperson Richard Loiselle said he can't  disclose the nature of the video or how many students were involved. The school board is investigating the matter.

"Students' safety and well-being are of utmost importance for our board," he said.

"For that reason, and in order to protect the privacy of all students involved, we cannot provide further details. We pray that all students involved will learn from this incident."

Loiselle said the school board is trying to teach students about networking and social media etiquette.