close
close

Man sues Mountie, RCMP for defamation, harassment – Winnipeg Free Press

Posted on by Neons

A Niverville man is suing Mount Manitoba and the RCMP, alleging they defamed and harassed him over allegations that a provincial court judge later determined were never made.

Plaintiff Lyall Hudson also claims he suffered unfair and excessive force at the hands of Cpl. Cliff Halabur alleged that the officer “used and abused his authority to harass and intimidate him.”

The civil suit, filed April 5 in Crown Court, names Halabur, the RCMP and the Attorney General of Canada as defendants.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Lyall Hudson said the RCMP officer used unfair and excessive force, saying the officer

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRINT FILES

Lyall Hudson said the RCMP officer used unfair and excessive force, saying the officer “used and abused his authority to harass and intimidate him.” Hudson is suing Mount Manitoba and the RCMP.

The document describes a series of interactions between Hudson and Halaburda, including an April 2022 incident in which an officer pulled Hudson over in Neverville because the license plate number of the vehicle he was driving did not match the license plate number.

In a subsequent news release, RCMP cited Hudson as becoming aggressive and threatening when an officer approached his vehicle. Halabour was told he was being taken into custody for threatening her, but Hudson resisted and became combative, the report said.

Hudson was charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and menacing.

Provincial Court Judge Ryan Rolston stayed the charges until a hearing in January 2023. Based on the facts in front of him, there is no reason to bring him to criminal responsibility, he said at the time.

A month before Rolston dropped the case, RCMP charged Hudson with two unrelated counts of assault, forcible confinement and harassment for domestic incidents involving his ex-spouse from 2018.

Provincial Court Judge Stacey Cawley acquitted him on all counts last week, court records show.

According to Hudson's claim, Halabur was involved in a domestic violence investigation and was arrested twice more in December 2022 and January 2023; one was in front of his 12-year-old son.

She says that during the relationship with Halaburda, her lips were cracked, torn, she felt uncomfortable and embarrassed.

“The actions of Constable Halabur and the RCMP were motivated by malice and/or an underlying purpose other than law enforcement,” the complaint states.

Hudson, who previously filed a formal complaint with the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP, is now seeking general damages of an undisclosed amount.

He is also asking the court to order the RCMP to “enjoin, restrict and otherwise prohibit him from making any other communications that are defamatory, disparaging or otherwise damaging.”

Hudson, a farmer, mechanic and former curling coach, has previously spoken Free press the incident and the news that mentioned her name had a negative impact on her life in her small community and the lives of her children.

“As a result of (the RCMP news release), the plaintiff … continues to suffer damages, including, but not limited to, loss of reputation, loss of goodwill and other losses and damages.” says the lawsuit.

“The above statements are false, inaccurate, misleading, malicious, and made with reckless and/or willful disregard for the truth, knowing that these statements convey to the community of Niverville (Hudson) that he is an aggressive person and criminal.”

Hudson's claim has not been tested in court.