Hugh L. Fraser

The accused, Suhail Alsendi, faced charges of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and carrying a concealed weapon.

The trial included a blended voir dire concerning alleged Charter rights violations (ss. 9 and 10(b)).

The court found that the Crown failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused knew the BB gun was a weapon or firearm, or that he intended to use it in a dangerous manner, or that he intended to conceal it.

Consequently, the accused was acquitted on both charges, rendering the Charter remedy discussion moot.

The accused pleaded guilty to instructing Gary Saikaley to commit an indictable offence under section 202(1) of the Criminal Code for the benefit of a criminal organization contrary to section 467.13(1).

The accused was the head of an organized bookmaking operation in Ottawa that operated illegal sports gambling websites.

The operation involved three individuals and three websites through which bettors placed wagers on sporting events.

The accused voluntarily withdrew from the enterprise in early 2012.

The court sentenced the accused to 26 months imprisonment and determined that parole eligibility would be determined in accordance with the Corrections and Conditional Release Act rather than imposing the mandatory 50% parole ineligibility threshold.