Nathaniel Hewton, a mayoral candidate in the 2024 Regina civic election has been released from custody with several conditions in place.
In an email to CTV News, Saskatchewan RCMP say Hewton was arrested by Indian Head RCMP on Saturday, Jan. 11, in relation to an alleged incident last fall.
On Oct. 16, 2024 at around 3:50 p.m., Southey RCMP received a report of an assault at a residence in Saskatchewan Beach. Police determined a man assaulted a woman, who reported non-life-threatening injuries to police.
As a result of an investigation, Hewton was charged with one count of assault. A warrant was issued for his arrest and Southey RCMP were actively searching for him until his arrest.
“This is my first assault charge,” Hewton said while appearing by phone in Regina Provincial Court Monday. “I am terrified of it going as an indictable offense because it was never intended to be like this.”
Hewton’s conditional release includes a non-contact order with his former mayoral campaign manager, her sister and her sister’s family. The order also prohibits him from being with 500 meters of their home, workplace or place of education.
He also banned of being in possession of firearms or weapons and must attend court when assigned.
“For now, the Crown will consent to [Hewton’s] release,” said Crown Prosecutor Alexandra Findlay. “Although [he] should be aware this is the last the Crown will be willing to do so should more charges be forthcoming.”
The alleged incident is not Hewton’s first brush with law enforcement. In 2019, Hewton was arrested and charged with multiple firearms-related counts.
The charges stemmed from an incident which saw a man threaten two teenage girls and point a firearm at them. Hewton, then 32-years-old, faced a total of six charges for his alleged involvement in the incident.
Hewton also explained Monday why it took so long for the authorities to find him.
“I was out [of Saskatchewan] for three weeks before any of [these charges] came down,” he said. “I’ve been chasing down all kings of different things.”
Hewton operated a local organization called Soup After Dark which served warm meals for Regina’s homeless population.
His 2024 mayoral campaign included taking the allotted Mayor’s salary to fund and operate the soup kitchen out of City Hall.
“Soup After Dark is not the only thing I am doing right now,” Hewton said. “I have tons and tons of other I am doing that I’ve literally put [it] on hold so I could expand it to the nation.”
“I’ve turned a new leaf and I’m going to prove it,” he added.
Hewton’s next court appearance is February 3 at Regina Provincial Court.
-With files from David Prisciak