The appellant appealed his convictions for sexual offences against children, seeking to set aside his guilty pleas on the basis that they were involuntary.
He argued that he was under improper pressure to plead guilty after his adjournment request was denied following the withdrawal of his trial counsel.
The Court of Appeal for Ontario dismissed the appeal, holding that the appellant failed to overcome the strong presumption that guilty pleas made in open court are voluntary.
The court found that the emotional pressure of representing oneself or facing a longer sentence did not impair his ability to make a conscious, volitional choice.
