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Teen testifies

A teen testified Monday he was pushed twice by a city police officer at a youth hockey tournament in January 2013. Thunder Bay Police Service Const.
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(Jodi Lundmark, tbnewswatch.com)

A teen testified Monday he was pushed twice by a city police officer at a youth hockey tournament in January 2013.

Thunder Bay Police Service Const. Steven Oster pleaded not guilty on an assault charge stemming from an alleged altercation with a then 12-year-old boy at the Neebing Arena on Jan. 10, 2013.

The court saw a video of an interview conducted with the teen by an officer from the Greater Sudbury Police Service, who was called in to conduct an independent review of the complaint against Oster, on Monday morning.

The teen in this case cannot be named in accordance with a publication ban.

In the video, the teen describes walking toward the dressing rooms in the arena, carrying his hockey bag and sticks, when Oster allegedly pushed him and told him to 'watch out.'

The teen said he walked away, entered the dressing room and was half-dressed in his equipment then he walked back into the hallway.

Shortly after that, the teen said a second altercation occurred where Oster allegedly "speed-walked" toward him and pushed him again.

In the video statement, the teen said he didn't know why Oster would push him, but he did say he knew the officer's son, a boy who played in the same hockey league but on an opposing team.

The teen also said he wasn't hurt in either incident; he didn't have any bruises or see a doctor or visit the hospital.

During the cross-examination, the teen testified the stands and hallways of the arena were busy and there were other kids with hockey bags and adults standing in the area where the first incident allegedly occurred.

The trial is expected to last for three days.

Oster remains on administrative duty until the case is resolved.

None of the accusations against the accused have been proven in court




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