UW PhD student sentenced after bar brawl

Austin Wilson, a 30 year old PhD student at UW, received his sentence Oct. 30 for a bar incident that happened last year. Wilson was sentenced to 12 months of probation, 50 hours of community service, and was fined $627 for damages.

Austin Wilson was drinking with friends on April 22, 2011 at The Stampede Ranch, a Guelph bar, when an argument broke out among surrounding people. Wilson involved himself. He threw a bottle and hit a woman in the back of the head, rendering her unconscious. Another man was also injured when he was hit in the face. He lost three teeth and had to have screws put into his jaw. Wilson’s fine will pay for the victim’s current and future dental surgery.

Wilson is working on a doctorate in recreation and leisure studies at UW; he is also a teaching assistant. He also volunteers, working with the disabled. Wilson also has a master’s degree in human kinetics and sports psychology from the University of Windsor.

According to The Record, Justice Norman Douglas was surprised to find someone with Wilson’s background and credentials in his courtroom.

“This is a remarkable man.” According to the Record, Douglas said in court, “No one should be judged by one night in his life. I think he has some empathy for the people he hurt.”

—With files from The Record