J.W. Leising

The offender was found guilty by a jury of importing heroin and conspiracy to import heroin.

The sentencing judge determined that the offender was a joint principal and organizer of a sophisticated international drug smuggling operation involving multiple importations from Africa to Canada and the United States.

The court rejected the argument that the offender's tragic personal history as a survivor of the Rwandan genocide warranted a departure from the usual sentencing range, as there was no link between her history and the offences.

The offender was sentenced to a total of 15 years in custody, less pre-sentence credit, along with mandatory weapons prohibition and DNA orders.

The accused was charged with assaulting a peace officer after fleeing from an arrest and placing the pursuing officer in a choke-hold.

Due to prior Charter breaches, the Crown conceded the officer was not in the lawful execution of his duty and sought a conviction for the lesser included offence of assault simpliciter.

The accused argued self-defence.

The court rejected the self-defence claim, finding the accused's response of punching and choking the officer was grossly disproportionate and unreasonable in the circumstances.

The accused was found guilty of assault.