B.C. Supreme Court orders man who beat boy to pay $34,250 in damages

NELSON, B.C. – A man who beat a 13 year old into unconsciousness, causing the boy double vision years after the assault, has been ordered to pay more than $30,000 in damages.

But that’s not as much as the man’s friend paid after he agreed to a settlement out of court involving the same assault.

Daniel Bolen had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated assault after he beat the boy near Nelson, B.C., in July 2004.

Court heard the boy, Dylan Plishka-Humphreys, was with a friend who had fired a ball bearing from a slingshot at Bolen’s window, shattering it and enraging the man.

Bolen punched Dylan repeatedly in the head and face, hospitalizing him for 2 1/2 days, while Bolen’s friend, James Ricard, threatened the boy.

The judge assessed damages of just over $84,000 but because Ricard had already settled for $50,000, Bolen must pay the rest — $34,250 — as well as court costs.