The appellant appealed convictions for two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking narcotics and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon, and sought leave to appeal his eight-year sentence.
The Court of Appeal upheld the drug trafficking convictions, finding the trial judge's verdict reasonable and factual findings owed deference.
However, the court quashed the conviction for possession of a prohibited weapon, ruling that the trial judge erred by reversing the burden of proof and requiring the defence to prove the shuriken was not a prohibited weapon, rather than requiring the Crown to prove it was.
The global sentence was reduced by two months due to the acquittal on the weapon charge.
