Suspect in bartender beating has long record of violence

A man charged this week with a vicious assault on a bartender in Labrador is no stranger to the justice system, records show.

Sem Paul Obed, 41, has a long and violent past, with more than 20 convictions in Newfoundland and Labrador alone, as well as others in Nova Scotia. His past convictions include attempted murder, sexual assault, and breaking and entering.

Now Obed has been charged with an attack that happened earlier in August, when a man walked into the Sand Bar in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and assaulted the lone employee who was closing up for the night.

Police allege that Obed came out of the washroom, walked behind the bar and started beating the female bartender.

Andrea Pardy, who spoke to CBC News last week about the incident, bit the man, broke his glasses and ran away.

Pardy is still not sure what caused the attack, as money that had been left on the bar was untouched. The whole event has left her battered, bruised and afraid.

Obed has been in and out of jail his entire adult life, with convictions dating back to the early 1990s, according to a copy of his criminal record obtained by CBC News.

When he was released from a five-year sentence in a Halifax prison, police called people in the neighbourhood to warn them.

Authorities say he didn't participate in any programs to address his violent past, and they expressed concerns he'd commit more crimes.

Obed will remain locked up until Friday, when he is scheduled to make another court appearance.