J. Hanbidge

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for violent offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders, had made significant progress in a secure hospital setting but had not yet been tested in the community.

The Board accepted the joint position of the parties and the treating psychiatrist that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of a Detention Order with gradual community reintegration privileges as the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for sexual assault and an indecent act, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an annual review hearing.

The accused has a diagnosis of treatment-resistant schizophrenia and a history of non-compliance with medication, which has led to violent and sexually dysregulated behaviour in the community.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his undertreated psychotic symptoms and limited insight.

The Board ordered that the accused be subject to a Detention Order at the secure forensic unit, with conditions allowing for gradual privileges as his psychiatric stability improves.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the accused's unfitness to stand trial on charges of mischief and failing to comply with probation.

The accused, diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia, had received substantial antipsychotic treatment and participated in a pragmatic court education program utilizing visual aids and role-play.

Applying the test from Bharwani, the Board accepted the uncontested psychiatric and psychological evidence that the accused now possessed a reality-based understanding of the court process, the possible consequences of the proceedings, and the ability to communicate with counsel.

The Board found the accused fit to stand trial and ordered him returned to court, with his current detention order remaining in effect in the interim.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault and assaulting a peace officer.

The accused, who has complex diagnoses including mild intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, had been stable in the community for six years but required intensive support.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties, finding that the accused continued to represent a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered a Detention Order with the same privileges and conditions as the previous disposition, allowing for continued community living in approved accommodation while maintaining the hospital's authority to manage her risk.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder, had a history of violent outbursts and was currently detained at a secure forensic unit.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety due to his mental illness, limited insight, and physical decline.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order but amended it to allow the hospital to transfer the accused to a non-forensic unit as a first step toward community reintegration.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault, mischief, and theft.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders, had previously been granted an absolute discharge but relapsed after discontinuing medication.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to his unstable mental state and resistance to treatment.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Detention Order at the Secure Forensic Unit, finding it to be the least restrictive and least onerous disposition necessary to manage his risk.

The Ontario Review Board conducted a mandatory annual review of the accused's disposition.

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and failure to comply with probation.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to chronic schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

The Board ordered a conditional discharge on the same terms as the previous disposition, noting the accused's progress and abstinence from substances.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder and a Neuro-Cognitive Disorder, was residing at Providence Care Hospital.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties and the evidence of the treating psychiatrist that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to risks of medication non-compliance and relapse.

The Board ordered the continuation of a Detention Order, amending the conditions to allow placement outside the Secure Forensic Unit within the hospital, as no appropriate community accommodation was available.