A. Midwood

The accused was charged with multiple firearms offences and aggravated assault following a drive-by shooting that injured a victim.

The Crown's case relied on circumstantial evidence, including wiretap intercepts, video surveillance, and testimony from individuals involved in the local drug trade.

The court found the civilian witnesses credible despite their criminal backgrounds and drug use, and concluded that the accused had the motive, means, and opportunity to commit the offences.

The accused was found guilty on all six counts.

The defendant was found guilty of aggravated assault after choking his female friend in response to her throwing a dresser drawer down the stairs, which struck him on the head.

Both parties were intoxicated.

The Crown sought a 9-month custodial sentence, while the defence sought a suspended sentence, citing four years of strict bail conditions and the victim's provocation.

The court imposed a suspended sentence with 12 months of probation, noting the provocation and the defendant's remorse, along with a DNA order and a lifetime weapons prohibition.

The accused was tried on historical sexual offence charges involving two complainants who were his step-daughters.

The court reviewed the governing principles on proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the W.(D.) framework, delayed disclosure in sexual abuse cases, the assessment of evidence concerning childhood events, and the distinction between sincerity and reliability.

Although the court found the complainants and supporting witnesses sincere, it concluded that extensive inconsistencies, the frailties of memory concerning distant events, and collective post-disclosure discussions rendered the evidence unreliable.

Applying the second branch of W.(D.), the court was left with a reasonable doubt and acquitted the accused on all counts.