Mr. C. Brannagan

The accused, Joshua Warrington-Johnson, pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited Taurus .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun contrary to s. 95(1) of the Criminal Code.

The case arose from Project Wildcat, a police investigation into gang activity in Toronto's Jane and Finch area.

Intercepted communications revealed Mr. Warrington-Johnson's involvement with gang-related firearm possession and discussions of retaliatory violence.

A search warrant led to the seizure of the loaded firearm and ammunition.

The sentencing judge emphasized the serious gun violence problem in Toronto, the aggravating factors including gang connections and firearm possession during a shooting incident, and the need for deterrence and denunciation.

Despite the accused's positive personal background and remorse, a penitentiary sentence of 2 years and 8 months was imposed, along with a lifetime weapons prohibition and ancillary orders.

The defendant, Shawn Rene Bansfield, was charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of breaching probation.

The Crown dismissed two counts related to a February 11, 2020 incident.

For the remaining charges from February 10, 2020, the court found the defendant not guilty.

The key witness's testimony was deemed unreliable due to drug use, sleep deprivation, and inconsistent observations, and the video evidence was of poor quality, leading to reasonable doubt.

The court also addressed arguments regarding the necessity of proving the complainant's full name as particularized and the relevance of the relationship between the accused and complainant when consent is negated by unconsciousness.

The accused was charged with sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, sexual assault, and communicating to obtain sexual services for consideration from a minor.

The 15-year-old complainant alleged she exchanged sex for methamphetamine with the accused.

The court found the complainant's evidence to be highly inconsistent and unreliable due to chronic drug use, lack of sleep, and memory-affecting medication.

Applying the W.(D.) analysis, the court accepted the accused's unshaken denials and found the Crown failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

The accused was acquitted on all counts.