Warrant issued after anti-mask protester skips Moncton court appearance

A judge issued an arrest warrant Mondayafter a person arrested and charged following an anti-mask protest in Monctonmissed his court appearance.

Jonathan Rossiter, 29, of Nackawicfaces criminalcharges of assaulting, resisting and obstructing police officers on Jan. 24 in Moncton.He also faces a charge of violating the province's Emergency Measures Act by taking part in a gathering of more than five people outside, while people were not more than two metres apart and wearing masks.

He was one of six arrested Jan. 24 at the protest outside Moncton city hall. He was released from custody the following day and ordered to appear in court again on Monday to enter a plea on the charges.

He was not present in Moncton provincial court, and no lawyer was there to represent him, so JudgeLuc Labontissued an arrest warrant.

Dawn Teakles, 49, of Moncton, was also arrested at the protests and also faces similar criminal charges and an alleged violation of the Emergency Measures Act.

Teakleswas present in court and was wearing a mask, but did not enter a plea.

Teaklestold the judge she has applied for legal aid representation. She's scheduled to return to court March 22.

Earlier,David West, 54,of Riverviewwas sent for a 30-daypsychiatric evaluation and is scheduled to return to court Feb. 25.

Bathurst residents Britney Green, 31,and Nicholas DeAngelis, 34, were released on bail Jan. 28 and are scheduled to return to court March 10.

Codiac Regional RCMP Supt. Tom Critchlow told Moncton councillors last week that police had noted a protest Feb. 14had followed the province's rules meant to reduce the spread of COVID-19.