Kruger-Allen pleads guilty to brutal Penticton beach assault

The man accused of a violent assault on a good samaritan on Okanagan Lake beach on May 3, 2019, was back in Penticton Supreme Court today.

Thomas Kruger-Allen, 22, was scheduled for the first day of a trial on two charges of assault, one charge of sexual assault and one charge of aggravated assault.

But Kruger-Allen entered guilty pleas to three of the charges, including aggravated assault and two charges of assault, according to B.C. Prosecutor Service communications counsel Dan McLaughlin.

Kruger-Allen’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 20 for sentencing.

Victim Brad Eliason sustained a severe head injury in the assault. He was at the beach with friends when he saw Kruger-Allen and another man harassing some younger people on the beach, including a young woman.

When Eliason attempted to intervene, he was jumped by the two men and knocked down, hitting his head on the ground.

Elaison spent several weeks in a coma, suffering seizures and undergoing several surgeries.

Kruger-Allen was also serving 18 months’ probation for his part in an unprovoked attack outside the Mule nightclub in Penticton in 2017 when the beach attack occurred.

The victim in that case was punched and kicked by several people including Kruger-Allen, sustaining injuries requiring stitches, a shattered nose and orbital bone.

He's also facing further assault and break and enter charges from an Oct. 19, 2019 incident in Penticton.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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