An Ottawa police officer accused of assaulting a taxi driver will find out Friday if the judge believes his version of events.
Const. Shyldon Safruk was off-duty when he alleges he was almost killed by a taxi driver on the Airport Parkway. He told the court he was planning to arrest the man when he followed him to the airport in May 2009.
Instead, an altercation occurred, leaving driver Sami Aldoboni with broken bones. Safruk is charged with assault causing bodily harm.
The allegations stem from a dispute that happened on the road. The Crown argues the off-duty police officer became enraged with the incident, which ended in a fight and assault on the cab driver.
In court, Safruk told a different story. He said he was trying to arrest the cab driver for dangerous driving.
However, Safruk was off-duty at the time and never pulled out his badge.
"It happened quickly. Regrettably, it didn't occur to me to take out my identification," Safruk told court on Tuesday.
He admits he pushed Aldoboni, but claims it was in self defense. He added he felt threatened by Aldoboni's fellow taxi drivers who broke up the fight. He said they swore at him and called him "Rambo."
A verdict in the case is expected on Friday.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Kate Eggins
