Charges pending after Membertou feud erupts in violence

What is being described as along-standing feud between some residents of MembertouFirst Nation on Cape Bretonerupted into an altercationoutside a couple'shome Tuesdaythat left a woman with injuries.

Ashley and Jonathan Paul said they were attacked by two menwho are members of the Membertouband council.

"Two councillors from Membertou came to my street after my husband and they took a bat out of their vehicle and smashed my truck windows," Ashley Paul said in an interview.

"I was thrown into a vehicle. I have bruises throughout my body. My face was swollen."

Paul said she was taken to hospital for treatment.

The attack was captured on video that was submitted toCape Breton Regional Police. CBCNews is not naming the councillors because no charges have yet been laid. Attempts to reach them for comment were unsuccessful.

Police confirmedthey were called to the couple's house on Maliktuk Court as well as another nearby residence on Wally Bernard Avenue at 1:30 p.m.on Tuesday.

Charges pending after Membertou feud erupts in violence

6 years ago

Duration 2:11

A long-standing feud involving fishing licenses is allegedly behind an attack that left a Membertou woman with injuries.

Police spokespersonDesiree Vassallo said two separate complaints were made fromthe two locations and police are trying to piece togetherthe sequence of events.

She said vehicles at both addresses were damagedand one person was taken to Cape Breton Regional Hospital for treatment of minor arm injuries.

Charges are pending, she added.

Vassallo said all parties involved are known to each other and police are treating this as an isolated incident.

Membertou patrol officers and the forensic identification unit are also assisting with the investigation.

Jonathan Paul said the tension between him and the men they accuse of assault hasbeen ongoing for years.

He blamed it on jealousy over fishing licences.

Ashley Paul wants the men removed from Membertouband council.

"I want a public apology, she said. "They don't represent me or my family."

Membertou Chief Terry Paul said in an emailhe is looking into the matter.

"At this time, we are obtaining information about the alleged incident and working with the Cape Breton Regional Police, as well as our legal counsel, to deal with the situation effectively," he wrote.

"We are currently looking into the allegations being made. As information becomes available to us through the Cape Breton Regional Police, a review will take place and appropriate steps will be taken."