The British Columbia man accused of skinny-dipping in a shark tank at Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto has been released on bail.
Police allege the 37-year-old stripped naked and jumped into a tank at the downtown tourist attraction last week.
Video taken by shocked patrons shows a man swimming in the water, making is way to the ledge of the Dangerous Lagoon tank, and then doing backflip back into the water. The man is seen swimming around for again for some time, before climbing out.
The suspect left the aquarium before officers arrived.
Police allege that that earlier in the day, the same man attacked a 34-year-old having a cigarette outside another tourist attraction – Medieval Times at Exhibition Place – after being escorted out of the building by security for unruly behaviour.
Police described the assault as “random.”
The suspect, identified as David Weaver, of Nelson, B.C., was eventually apprehended by Ontario Provincial Police officers in Thunder Bay, Ont. after police recognized and stopped his vehicle.
Weaver was subsequently charged with assault causing bodily harm, mischief under $5,000 and mischief interfering with property.
He was transported by police to Toronto earlier this week, where he appeared in court at Old City Hall for a bail hearing on Thursday morning.
Wearing a red-and-black striped hoodie and grey track pants, he stood “expressionless” in the prisoner’s box, according to a CP24 reporter inside the courtroom.
The hearing was ultimately adjourned to Friday, at which time he was granted bail.
A judge granted Weaver bail under a number of conditions, including that he receives counselling for alcohol, according to his lawyer.
“In this case, clearly there are some issues. Mr. Weaver and I are looking forward to dealing with these issues in the coming months,” lawyer Blair Drummie said outside the courthouse.
“He’s going to be living and working in the province of Ontario and coming to court and facing these charges.”
Drummie said Weaver is aware of how far the story has reached, making headlines worldwide.
“He seems to be okay, as well as can be expected,” the lawyer noted. “He’s had a rough week. “
Drummie would not say whether his client feels remorse or whether there was a reason behind the alleged acts.
“I’m sure that’s the question you’re all after, but I can’t really answer that right now until we get disclosure,” he said.
He did say Weaver had a girlfriend “up until recently.”
When asked whether the break-up was a result of the combined incidents, Drummie wouldn’t speculate.
“I don’t know,” he said. “You’ll have to ask her that.”
