Charges against Kamloops security guard who fought homeless man dropped

A Kamloops security guard dodged a criminal record after he fought with a homeless man downtown.

Rick Eldridge was working for Lapper Security when he was caught on camera kicking a man on West Victoria Street in March 2021.

The video, aired by CFJC-TV, showed Eldridge knock the man to the ground then kick him. Eldridge retaliated after the man spat in his face.

Eldridge, born in 1966, was charged in October 2021 and was finally scheduled for trial two years after the incident after several delays.

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On March 1, 2023, Eldridge's assault charge was dropped, but he signed a peace bond, which leaves him with conditions not to go near or have contact with the alleged victim, according to B.C. Prosecution Service spokesperson Dan McLaughlin.

Those conditions last for 12 months, but leave him without a criminal record as long as he doesn't breach the peace bond.

He returned to security work, with a different company, months after the alleged assault.

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Ed Lappiere, Lapper Security owner and Eldridge's former employer, said the fight was "outside the scope" of the job.

Eldridge didn't respond to a request from iNFOnews.ca for an interview.

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