The Kelowna community is taking note as Connor Patterson-House, 27, faces the consequences of habitual court non-appearances amidst severe domestic assault allegations. Patterson-House, who’s accused of multiple instances of assault, including assault causing bodily harm, has been arrested once more after failing to attend his trial set for September 20, 2023—marking his fifth absence from a scheduled court date.
The case, marked as a “K” file indicating intimate partner violence, has seen Patterson-House oscillate between custody and conditional release over the past year. With each missed court appearance, the conditions for his bail became more stringent, culminating in a significant bail deposit of $25,000 set by Justice David Ruse in January. However, an alteration by Justice Gordon Weatherill in April replaced the deposit with a surety agreement, where a guarantor would be liable for the amount should Patterson-House breach his release terms.
Despite the adjustments to his bail conditions, Patterson-House’s repeated failures to appear have now led to an additional charge of breaching a release order and the potential forfeiture of the agreed $25,000 surety—signifying a tougher stance by the legal system on his non-compliance. As BC Prosecution spokesperson Dan McLaughlin states, the prosecution deliberates the extent of the forfeiture proceedings.
With Patterson-House back in custody, the community awaits his forthcoming court appearance, signalling a renewed enforcement of justice in domestic violence cases.
To stay abreast of this and other significant local legal proceedings, sign up for the OKDaily Newsletter. Your engagement helps maintain the vigilance necessary to ensure accountability and justice in our community.
