This decision concerns the sentencing of J.B., a young Black male, for serious offences stemming from a pharmacy robbery.
The court applied principles from the Youth Criminal Justice Act and general sentencing principles, with a particular focus on the impact of anti-Black racism and the role of Enhanced Pre-Sentence Reports (EPSRs).
The court considered aggravating factors such as the seriousness of the offence and harm to victims, alongside mitigating factors including J.B.'s troubled upbringing, exposure to systemic racism, and his newfound role as a father.
Despite the Crown seeking a custodial sentence, the court imposed a non-custodial sentence of 24 months probation with various conditions, emphasizing rehabilitation and reintegration while acknowledging the systemic barriers faced by racialized individuals.
