A former Similkameen businessman, who faces numerous criminal charges including assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, appeared in Princeton circuit court Thursday, Sept. 8.

Randy Folk was given a month to apply for legal aid and retain counsel.

Until recently, Folk operated Krankin Vintage Restoration on Bridge Street.

He was arrested in Princeton over the B.C. Day holiday weekend, following a series of alleged events, and made his first court appearances in Kelowna.

During Thursday害羞草研究所檚 court session, Crown counsel Andrew Vandersluys stayed three of the original charges; two charges of assaulting a peace officer and one of assaulting a police officer with a weapon.

Effectively a stay drops the charges, however, the Crown is able to reverse that decision for up to a year.

The Crown is proceeding with charges of two other counts of assaulting a peace officer, one count of assaulting a police officer with a weapon, and one count of escaping lawful custody or being unlawfully at large.

Folk told the court he plans to sue two business acquaintances and the arresting RCMP officers.

害羞草研究所淭hey are lying,害羞草研究所� he said.

And he told Judge Cathie Heinrichs that he didn害羞草研究所檛 realize he was in court to answer criminal matters.

害羞草研究所淲hy do I face criminal charges?害羞草研究所� he asked.

The judge noted that Folk had yet to receive discovery from the Crown, and urged the man to get legal help.

害羞草研究所淔or you to be properly prepared to answer to these criminal charges you should get a lawyer,害羞草研究所� said Heinrichs. 害羞草研究所淓ventually we will book a trial and the evidence will come out at that trial.害羞草研究所�

She explained Folk must address his other concerns in civil court. 害羞草研究所淵ou can file in civil court at any time,害羞草研究所� she said.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com