Paparazzo in Ryan Reynolds hit-and-run case makes court appearance

Paparazzo Richard Fedyck, the man accused of assaulting actor Ryan Reynolds, appeared in court Tuesday afternoon to face several charges in connection with a hit and run involving the Vancouver-born star. 

The Vancouver celebrity photographer faces charges of assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and criminal harassment. He made his first court appearance after arriving hours in advance in a bid to avoid cameras and media. 

According to a copy of the sworn information, Fedyck allegedly harassed Reynolds between Feb. 28 and April 11, and the hit and run allegedly happened on April 10. At the time, police said Reynolds got into a confrontation with a photographer in the parking lot of the upmarket Shangri-La Hotel. Reynolds suffered a sore knee and back.

Fedyck has denied any wrongdoing, and his defence lawyer Jonathan Waddington immediately asked for a ban on publication of the court proceedings. 

Fedyck has been released on eight conditions, including staying out of Vancouver until Reynolds leaves town in mid-June, and he has been ordered to make no contact with Reynolds, his wife or their children or extended family. He's also not allowed to take any photographs or video of them and he must stay at least 500 metres away from any location outside of Vancouver where Reynolds may be staying or working. 

Hours after his court appearance, Fedyck still hadn't come out of the courthouse in a bid to avoid local media. When he did, he shoved a cameraman out of the way.