Trial begins for Toronto police officer accused of assault in fake Apple Watch deal [Video]

The assault causing bodily harm trial for off-duty Toronto police Const. Calvin Au began in a Brampton, Ont., courtroom Monday.

The judge-alone trial started with a brief opening statement from Crown attorney Catherine Weiler, who told Superior Court Justice Jennifer Woolcoombe that there was an altercation between Au and Chadd Facey. Facey was tackled to the ground, which caused bodily harm.

According to an agreed statement of facts, Facey advertised an Apple Watch on Kijiji for $500. Const. Gurmakh Benning, who was a friend of Au’s, responded to the ad and over the next several days negotiated with Facey a price of $400 for the Apple Watch.

They arranged to meet in the parking lot of Beryl Ford Public School on April 26, 2021. Benning and Au travelled to 45 Ironshield Dr. in Benning’s vehicle and when they arrived, Benning handed Facey $400 in cash for what he believed was an Apple Watch. Facey gave him a watch and left. …