A Toronto police officer has been charged with assault following an alleged attack on a 57-year-old man in downtown Toronto last year.

The Special Investigations Unit — the civilian watchdog which probes incidents of death, serious injury or sexual assault involving police — has found there are “reasonable grounds” to believe Const. Paul Walker committed a criminal offense stemming from the arrest of Baoshi Yang.

According to the watchdog, Yang was arrested by Toronto police officers in the area of Parliament St. and Queen St. E., on the afternoon of December 13, 2014, then later released.

Yang was then taken by ambulance to St. Michael’s Hospital to be treated for a broken orbital bone.

Following the SIU investigation, Walker is now facing one count of assault causing bodily harm. He is scheduled to appear in court in July.

“As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation,” SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon said in statement Wednesday.

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