Assault charge withdrawn against U of R Rams player

A University of Regina Rams football player is off the hook after an assault charge from last fall was withdrawn on Monday morning.

Takudzwa Timothy Brandon Gandire, who was listed as just Brandon Gandire on the Rams’ roster, was charged with assault causing bodily harm and failure to comply with undertaking after a fight outside the campus bar, The Owl, in October.

Some people were treated for minor injuries at the scene, while another person was taken to hospital the next morning.

Gandire’s trial was supposed to start on Monday morning but, according to the Crown prosecutor, a bunch of witnesses didn’t show up — friends of the complainant.

Prosecutor Catherine Gagnon said that meant she wasn’t able to prove her case, so the charges against Gandire were withdrawn.

Gagnon said Gandire signed a one-year peace bond, which means he promises to do things like keep the peace, not communicate with the victim, and also not attend the victim’s educational institution unless Gandire is there for a specific purpose like attending classes himself.

Gandire was suspended from the Rams until the court case was concluded.

According to a spokesperson for the university, Gandire was not a member of the Rams football team as of Monday, but that could be because of the suspension. Because of privacy concerns, the spokesperson was unable to say whether Gandire was still a student at the university.

The spokesperson said any possible future Gandire might have with the Rams will have to be assessed.