Court of Appeal for Ontario

Date: 2018-03-05 Docket: C62475

Judges: Pardu, Benotto and Nordheimer JJ.A.

Between

Her Majesty the Queen Respondent

and

Godwyn Ariri Appellant

Counsel

Godwyn Ariri, self-represented

Hannah Freeman, for the respondent

Heard and Released

Heard and released orally: March 5, 2018

On appeal from the conviction entered on July 6, 2016 by Justice K. Moore of the Ontario Court of Justice.

Reasons for Decision

[1] The appellant pleaded guilty following a ruling dismissing his Charter application. The Charter ruling was based on findings of fact. There is no basis for this court to interfere with that ruling.

[2] The trial judge dealt with the factual issues now raised by the appellant, including the issue of whether he was handcuffed to the front or the back.

[3] The appellant suggests that he had ineffective assistance of counsel at his trial but has not followed the steps to pursue that claim despite ample opportunity to do so. There is no basis on this record to conclude that his guilty plea was not voluntary and informed.

[4] The appeal is dismissed.

"G. Pardu J.A."

"M.L. Benotto J.A."

"I.V.B. Nordheimer J.A."