Imran Shaikh

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

The accused sought a conditional discharge with a term allowing moderate alcohol consumption.

The Hospital and Attorney General sought to continue the existing detention order.

The Board accepted the uncontradicted psychiatric evidence that the accused's schizophrenia and substance use disorder require ongoing hospital supervision, and that any alcohol consumption would significantly increase his risk of violence.

The Board found the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and concluded that continuing the detention order without changes is the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for various offences, including uttering threats and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The accused sought a Conditional Discharge, while the Hospital and Attorney General recommended continuing the existing Detention Order.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, primarily due to his escalating cannabis use, lack of insight, and history of non-compliance and reoffending while on prior discharges.

The Board concluded that a Conditional Discharge would not adequately manage the risk and ordered the continuation of the Detention Order.

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

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for manslaughter, sought a modification to his detention order to permit limited access to cannabis.

The hospital and the Attorney General opposed the request, arguing that cannabis use exacerbates the accused's psychotic symptoms and that he continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence, finding that unmitigated cannabis use would destabilize the accused's mental state.

The Board concluded that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the public and ordered the continuation of the detention order with no changes.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment and referred to the Ontario Review Board.

The Board held a disposition hearing to determine if the accused posed a significant threat to public safety.

The accused, diagnosed with Delusional Disorder and Cannabis Use Disorder, was untreated and refused psychotropic medication.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties, finding that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety, particularly regarding psychological harm.

A Detention Order was issued with privileges, including accompanied access to the community, to balance public safety with the accused's reintegration.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an annual review hearing.

The hospital and the Crown sought a continuation of his Conditional Discharge Disposition, while the accused sought an Absolute Discharge.

The Board found that the accused continues to suffer from schizophrenia with residual religious delusions and lacks insight into his illness.

Relying on the evidence of his attending psychiatrist and family concerns regarding medication non-compliance, the Board concluded that the accused remains a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Conditional Discharge Disposition with no changes to its terms.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and failing to comply with probation.

The accused sought a conditional discharge, while the Hospital and Crown sought a continuation of the detention order.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to ongoing substance use, lack of insight, and the need for 24/7 supportive housing.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible, was subject to a disposition allowing him to live in the community.

Following a relapse into illicit substance use, the hospital readmitted him, triggering a restriction of liberty hearing under s. 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code.

The Ontario Review Board applied the Campbell framework and found that the hospital's decision to readmit the accused was reasonable, warranted, and represented the least onerous and least restrictive intervention available to manage the risk to public safety.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review two restrictions of liberty imposed on the accused, who was previously found NCR for various offences and resides in the community.

The hospital admitted the accused after suspecting he tampered with urine drug screens to conceal cannabis use.

The Board applied the Campbell framework and found that both hospital admissions constituted significant restrictions of liberty, but were necessary, appropriate, and the least restrictive interventions available to manage the accused's risk to public safety given his severe cannabis use disorder and history of violence.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review of the accused's disposition.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for forceable entry, has schizophrenia and continues to experience fixed delusional beliefs, including that he is God.

He lacks insight into his illness and stated he would stop taking medication if granted an absolute discharge.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order, with an amendment requiring the accused to report to the hospital at least four times per month when living in the community.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for arson.

The accused, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease and had experienced delirium, was living in an assisted living facility with 24/7 support.

The hospital and the Attorney General sought a conditional discharge, while the accused sought an absolute discharge.

Applying the Winko test, the Board found that the accused's risk factors were well managed in the community and that he no longer posed a significant threat to public safety.

The Board granted an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found unfit to stand trial on a charge of aggravated assault.

The accused, diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type, did not attend the hearing.

Based on the hospital report and the testimony of the attending psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused remains permanently unfit to stand trial due to severe thought disorganization and delusional ideations.

The Board also concluded that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety, as he would likely stop taking his medication and decompensate if released.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order, with additional terms allowing for indirectly supervised community passes and community living to facilitate placement on housing waiting lists.

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

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for arson and personating a peace officer, was subject to a detention order at a hospital.

The accused requested an amendment to allow the use of cannabis from a licensed dispensary.

The Board found that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety, noting a clear link between his substance use and worsening symptoms of psychosis, including agitation and paranoia.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with a strict prohibition on all substance use, including cannabis.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for mischief and arson.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, had recently pled guilty to sexual assault and received a conditional sentence requiring him to remain in hospital.

The parties jointly submitted that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the joint submission, finding that the accused's severe intractable mental disorder, residual symptoms, and risk of impulsive violence necessitated a continuation of the detention order on the same terms.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for arson-related offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and a neurocognitive disorder, remained stable in a hospital setting but continued to experience symptoms and lacked insight.

The treatment team opined that she required a 24/7 supervised setting, such as a long-term care facility, but none was currently available.

The Board found that the accused continued to represent a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of her detention disposition without change, while noting concerns about bureaucratic delays in securing a long-term care placement.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review a significant increase in the restrictions on the liberties of an accused found not criminally responsible.

The hospital had placed the accused in seclusion and locked his room after he engaged in an unprovoked, violent attack on a co-patient due to auditory hallucinations.

The Board found that the hospital's actions constituted a significant increase in liberty restrictions, but concluded that the measures were warranted, justified, and represented the least onerous means of managing the accused's risk to public safety.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for uttering threats.

The accused sought an absolute discharge, supported by his treating psychologist, while the attending psychiatrist and the hospital argued he remained a significant threat to public safety due to his history of cannabis-induced psychosis and lack of community psychiatric follow-up.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, citing his rapid decompensation following a previous absolute discharge and the ongoing risks associated with potential cannabis use.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge with a reduction in reporting requirements.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for dangerous operation causing death after driving through a stop sign at high speed and striking a motorcyclist.

At her initial Ontario Review Board disposition hearing, the panel found she poses a significant threat to public safety due to her Schizoaffective Disorder, history of medication nonadherence, and risk of psychotic relapse.

The Board ordered her detained at the Forensic Psychiatry Program with community living privileges, subject to strict conditions including substance abstinence and a driving prohibition.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for mischief, uttering threats, and animal cruelty, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for her annual hearing.

She had successfully transitioned to living in the community, remained asymptomatic, and demonstrated significant progress without antipsychotic medication.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties and granted a Conditional Discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, had remained stable and compliant with treatment over the past year.

The Board accepted a joint submission to continue the Detention Order with privileges up to living in the community, adding a provision for travel passes up to seven days within Ontario to facilitate hospital-sponsored outings.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for break and enter, attempted murder, and kidnapping.

The hospital recommended continuing the detention order with additional privileges, including indirect supervision in the community, citing the accused's significant improvement and adherence to treatment for schizophrenia.

The Board concluded that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety but agreed that a continuation of the detention order with the suggested additional privileges was necessary and appropriate.