A former Kelowna Mountie who was caught on camera kicking a man in the face during an arrest has received 18 months probation.
Geoff Mantler was sentenced in a Kelowna courtroom Thursday morning after he admitted he kicked 51-year-old Buddy Tavares in the face in a January 2011 incident.
The former RCMP constable was filmed by a Castanet reporter punting Tavares during a traffic stop as Tavares was on his hands and knees.
“I’ve spent enough time thinking about him,” Tavares told reporters outside the courtroom after the sentencing. “I’m done. It’s over.”
The judge accepted the Crown’s call for a suspended sentence and probation.
Mantler’s lawyer Neville McDougall argued his client deserved a conditional discharge.
After the sentencing, McDougall said Mantler’s career as an RCMP officer is likely over.
“Today I don’t believe there’s any hope or aspiration of joining another police department,” he said.
Mantler, who resigned from the force since the incident, apologized in court Tuesday, saying he was deeply sorry for and regretted his actions.
He initially pleaded not guilty to assault causing bodily harm, but later changed his plea to guilty.
With files from The Canadian Press
