National

Defence in Todd case now seeks 2-year sentence

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Oct, 2022 12:29 PM

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - A defence lawyer for a man convicted of luring and sexually exploiting British Columbia teen Amanda Todd says a six-year sentence he originally asked for should be reduced to two years.

Joseph Saulnier told a sentencing hearing in B.C. Supreme Court that his client is already serving an 11-year sentence for similar offences against 33 young victims in the Netherlands and more prison time would be "unduly harsh."

Saulnier is now seeking a two-year term to be served after Aydin Coban's Dutch sentence is completed in August 2024, and says the Canadian sentence would be for the same course of wrongful conduct.

Justice Martha Devlin questioned Saulnier's reasoning several times, saying she is not bound by the Dutch regime and suggesting that the offences against Todd are a separate matter.

Coban was extradited to Canada to face a trial in the Todd case and is serving his Dutch sentence at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam, Todd's hometown.

Crown attorney Louise Kenworthy has asked for a 12-year sentence to be served after the completion of Coban's Dutch term, saying he tormented Todd online for over two years and that his conduct was a dominant factor in her suicide at age 15.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Surrey council meeting halted by chanting crowd

A social media post from Coun. Jack Hundial says he opened the meeting with a motion asking Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum to immediately step aside because court documents raise questions about McCallum's statements to police regarding an alleged assault.

Surrey council meeting halted by chanting crowd

Feds propose national handgun freeze

The measure does not ban handguns outright, allowing current owners to continue to possess and use them, but seeks to cap the number already in Canada.

Feds propose national handgun freeze

Charge pending for manure at B.C. premier's office

Corp. Alex Bérubé says the man attended the West Shore RCMP detachment on Monday and was released on an undertaking to appear in court Aug. 18. He says the man faces a criminal charge of mischief, however his name won't be released until the charge has been sworn in court.

Charge pending for manure at B.C. premier's office

BC Ferries plans to expand the Coastal Cafe menu to include alcoholic beverages

BC Ferries continually seeks ways to enhance and add value to our customers’ experience and offering alcoholic beverages in select Coastal Cafes is in response to customer feedback. It will be served in limited quantities by staff who have their Serving It Right certification.

BC Ferries plans to expand the Coastal Cafe menu to include alcoholic beverages

Construction begins on redeveloped Burnaby Hospital

The six-storey pavilion, the new surgery centre and renovations to existing buildings are scheduled to be complete in 2026. The second patient-care tower is expected to have 160 new beds and a state-of-the-art cancer treatment centre.

Construction begins on redeveloped Burnaby Hospital

B.C. investing more than $2.4 billion in Metro Vancouver transit improvements

B.C. is contributing more than $2.4 billion to advance key transit and infrastructure priorities, including the Surrey Langley Skytrain and electrification of the bus fleet, as part of its ongoing commitment to fund 40% of the Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision.