Police lay charges in Preston Street stabbing

Police charged three people on Monday in relation to a stabbing on Preston Street early on Sunday morning.

The two victims, a 25-year-old man and 28-year-old woman, were sitting on a park bench near Young Street around 2 a.m. when an argument started between the couple and a man and two women, said Ottawa Police Const. Chuck Benoit.

The verbal argument escalated into a physical fight between the two men. One of the men suffered serious injuries to his upper torso and was taken to hospital, said Benoit. Marston Rice, 39, has been charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes.

Police said Heather Phelan, 35, has been charged with assault and theft while, Deanna Taudien, 25, have been charged with assault.

Rice will appear in court Monday.