A man who fled to Canada to escape violence in Congo avoided possible deportation after pleading guilty to a string of charges, including assaulting two police officers.

The man, 28, arrived in Kitchener two years ago as a refugee after his wife was killed in the war-torn African country, court was told Monday.

Some of his uncles, aunts and cousins were also killed, said duty counsel Emmanuel Wingate.

The man, a permanent resident of Canada, turned to alcohol to deal with the trauma, Wingate said. He was drunk during all of the crimes, which took place in Kitchener and Waterloo. He pleaded guilty to assaults and mischief.

Wingate sought a conditional discharge, which does not carry a conviction.

Crown prosecutor Anita Etheridge opposed it.

“A discharge is not in the best interest of

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