By Chris Brown

Back in court Aug. 3

Anwar Kamaran enters guilty pleas to assault, uttering threats charges

Jun 22, 2021 | 4:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Anwar Kamaran entered guilty pleas today to charges of assault, uttering threats and breach of conditions, bringing what began as a gas war in the hamlet of Walsh last summer one step closer to a resolution.

Agreed statements of fact were read into court today, one regarding a pair of assaults on Aug. 9, 2020, the other threats made online this past January.

In them, Kamaran, who appeared today via CCTV, admitted that hours after being released from custody for a previous incident he attended the gas station owned by Geoff and Carol Shoesmith and assaulted Geoff leaving him unconscious.

He also went to the family’s home and assaulted the couple’s son David.

Both assaults were captured on video which the Crown played for the court.

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Kamaran also admitted to posting threatening comments directed at the Shoesmiths on a local media Facebook page in January.

Victim impact statements were read into court today, one by Carol Shoesmith and the other by Crown prosecutor Jase Cowan on behalf of Geoff.

Carol said following the assaults her life and world as she knew it changed.

“I have been diagnosed with high alert PTSD and depression,” she said. She added she has trouble going out, knowing that Kamaran is allowed in Walsh.

In his statement, Geoff said that Kamaran threatened the family and carried out those threats and the family fears worse could happen.

“We fear him murdering us and assaulting us again.”

The family is asking for a lifetime no-contact order against Kamaran.

Judge Gordon Krinke asked Crown and defence to provide written submissions on sentencing next month.

The Crown will ask for a nine-month sentence, two years probation and a five-kilometre banishment zone around the Shoesmiths’ business.

The defence will ask for a five-month sentence and will argue against the banishment zone.

The next court date was set for Aug. 3.

Kamaran, 45, was arrested on Aug. 9 following the assaults on Geoff and David Shoesmith. Geoff, who was unconscious for close to five minutes following the assault, suffered visible injuries to his face and dealt with after effects for months. David’s injuries included a black eye and bruising behind his ear.

Kamaran had been on release conditions at the time that required him not to have contact with the Shoesmith family.

Those conditions were imposed following an alleged assault of Carol Shoesmith on Aug. 8 – charges which have since been dismissed.

The assaults last summer followed months of escalation in a gas war between the Shoesmiths, owners of Trailside gas station, and Kamaran, who owns the neighbouring Save On gas station.