J. Rekai

The offender pleaded guilty to multiple counts of failing to comply with probation and a non-communication order by repeatedly contacting his former partner while in custody and on parole.

The court emphasized denunciation and specific deterrence given the offender's history of domestic violence and blatant disregard for court orders.

The offender was sentenced to one day in jail, after receiving 22 months of enhanced credit for pre-sentence custody and lockdown conditions, followed by three years of probation with strict non-contact conditions.

The accused were charged with importing cocaine into Canada after arriving at Pearson International Airport from St. Lucia with cocaine hidden in their suitcases.

They admitted to the importation but raised the defence of duress, claiming they were threatened at gunpoint and tortured by men in St. Lucia who forced them to carry the drugs.

The court rejected the defence, finding the accused's testimony lacked credibility and was contradicted by their actions and communications.

The court further held that even if the threats had occurred, the accused had a safe avenue of escape by reporting the matter to Canadian authorities upon arrival.

Both accused were convicted.