The family of a man charged in connection with a violent sexual assault east of downtown Tuesday says police have the wrong man.
Relatives of Nathan Bumesi, 21, arrived in a Toronto court Wednesday where Bumesi appeared. They described him as a good son and brother.
The assault in question took place Tuesday morning at about 3 a.m. Police said a passerby heard screams for help near Dundas Street East and Sherbourne Street at about 3 a.m.
When police arrived they found a 53-year-old woman in a small park. She had been sexually assaulted and beaten, and was left naked and unconscious, police said.
"She received serious, serious facial injuries," said police Cons. Tony Vella. "She was rushed to hospital. She remains in hospital in serious condition."
Police arrested Bumesi less than 24 hours after the initial assault.
Bumesi lives in an apartment near where the woman was found. He works as a dishwasher at Fran's restaurant near St. Michael's Hospital, his family said.
"My son can't even kill a fly," said Bumesi's father, David Malayi. "He just came from work, and I think they have the wrong person."
Bumesi often walked home from work late at night, past the park where the woman's body was found.
"Nathan is a gentle giant," said community worker Vicky McPhee. "He's a peacemaker. He's a good friend. He's a good son. He's a good brother. He's a good student. He's a good community member."
Bumesi's bail hearing has been pushed to Thursday.
With files from CTV News' Tamara Cherry
