A Thompson Rivers University student who suffered brain and eye injuries in a pool cue attack is suing his assailant as well as the bar in which the fight occurred.
Abdulaziz Alhedaib filed a statement of claim in B.C. Supreme Court naming his attacker, Yousef Almotairi, as well as Cactus Jacks Cabaret and two companies associated with it.
The civil claim — separate from Almotairi’s Criminal Code convictions — states the nightclub failed in its duty to ensure that young, inexperienced drinkers from the university were not served too much alcohol and that the bar failed to properly supervise customers.
It also alleges the defendants “habitually operated the nightclub in a manner that resulted in overcrowding and understaffing . . . contributing to altercations between patrons of the nightclub.”
Neither Almotairi nor the nightclub have filed a statement of defence. None of the allegations have been heard in civil court.
Almotairi was sentenced to six months jail on Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court for assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily injury in connection with the attack on Alhedaib.
During the trial, the court heard Alhedaib was irked that his fellow Saudi student didn’t attend his birthday party. He approached Almotairi three times at a pool table where he was playing.
On the third approach, Alhedaib punched Almotairi in the face, causing the accounting student to raise his pool cue and thrust it across the table, stabbing Alhedaib in the eye.
The statement of claim says Alhedaib’s injuries include vision and physical problems resulting in depression and anxiety. He walks with a severe limp and suffers paralysis on one side of his body.
Alhedaib is seeking damages, including loss of future earnings and health care and well as special and punitive damages for Almotairi’s “maliciousness” and the nightclub owner’s alleged failure to supervise its patrons.
