Fan faces assault charge after teen hockey referee shoved

A Georgetown man is facing an assault charge after a 15-year old referee was pushed following a house league Atom hockey game at Mold-Masters SportsPlex last Saturday morning. Police report the incident occurred Jan. 28 after a male referee from Georgetown disallowed a goal in the game (the average age of the players was 10 years), because he said it was scored after he blew the whistle to stop play. A fan was enraged by the call, police say, and when the referee was leaving the ice after the game the fan berated and cursed at him, then pushed him, causing the teenager to sway backwards. The referee regained his balance and was not injured. He continued walking past the fan into the dressing room. The incident was reported to league officials and police. Police say when the fan learned of the police investigation he contacted the investigating officer and voluntarily came to the Georgetown Police station where he "expressed remorse and regret for his actions." Charged with assault level one is William Kirby, 49, of Confederation St. He is to appear in Burlington Court March 7.

Georgetown Minor Hockey Association House League vice-president Ron Lefebvre said Tuesday the accused was an assistant trainer with a house league select team this year. Town of Halton Hills Manager of Facilities Paul Stover said police reviewed videotape at the arena on Monday (Jan. 30) but Stover added the videotape didn't capture the incident. He said Georgetown Minor Hockey Association (GMHA) and the Georgetown Referees' Association were working together on the matter and have sent a letter to the accused suspending him from Halton Hills arenas while his child is playing hockey. Stover said the Town has a zero tolerance policy in effect for violence and vandalism at town facilities and will support the decision taken by the league and association. "We've been speaking with our counsel, and we're still in the process of evaluating the situation and don't want to say anything at this point," said Hal Pells, president of the GMHA on Tuesday. He confirmed a letter had been issued, but would not comment on its contents.