Sentencing begins for cop convicted of assault

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Sentencing begins for cop convicted of assault
Firoz Khan roughed up in January of 2009
Dave White May 10, 2011 11:57:49 AM
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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Tears at a sentencing hearing for a New Westminster police officer who assaulted a newspaper delivery man two years ago in downtown Vancouver.

Cst. Jeffrey Klassen made an emotional apology for an assault upon Firzon Kahn outside the Hyatt Regency Hotel in January, 2009.

Klassen was found guilty last month of the assault, which happened when was drunk and off duty. Crown is seeking a 30 to 60 day jail sentence while defence wants a conditional discharge. The judge is reserving her decision.

"A rushed decision resulted in an event I've regretted every day since. I sincerely apologize and know that I was wrong.  I swore an oath to protect the civilians of British Columbia.  That night I failed you," Klassen told the court, in tears.

Khan also wiped his eyes in the courtroom, and later told reports he accepts the apology.  "He's just a human being, I'm just a human being, so why not? We just have to forgive each other," he says.

Khan is hoping for a fair sentence.  "I mean, if I had done the same thing to him, I'd be in jail anyways.  It's just only fair to the public and to everybody that the justice system works both ways."

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Newspaper delivery man Firoz Khan speaks to the media following the attack in 2009