An Esquimalt man is charged with attempted murder and assault, after allegedly attempting to strangle his girlfriend in her home – just one hour after police dropped him off.
It was the third encounter James Richardson had with Victoria police before 5 a.m. on May 9.
At 3 a.m., police investigated an altercation between Richardson and a man near Blanshard Street and Hillside Avenue. Neither would give a statement at the time, but police are now recommending charges against Richardson.
About an hour later, police picked him up in the 100-block of Wilson Street for behaving erratically.
Police drove him to the apartment on Gorge Road East, where he was living with his girlfriend, and she took him in.
"At the time, there was no information that he was violent," said police spokesperson Const. Mike Russell.
At 5 a.m. she called police, and officers arrived to find Richardson in the hallway with blood on his hands.
Richardson made his first court appearance May 10. He is now undergoing a 30-day psychiatric assessment.
He makes his next court appearance June 2.
rholmen@vicnews.com