Ontario Review Board
Re: Shahin Pirouzi
ORB File No: 8558
Hearing held on: Friday, September 26, 2025
Place of hearing: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. M.D. Segal Members: Dr. B. Sheppard Dr. M. Kalia Ms. M. Labrosse Mr. S. Doherty
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Shahin Pirouzi Counsel: Mr. D.J. Brodsky
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Mr. D. Blumenkrans
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. C. Coughlan
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated October 28, 2025)
Introduction
Shahin Pirouzi, age 47, was on May 8, 2024, found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of mischief under $5000 and sexual assault, contrary to the Criminal Code.
On September 26, 2025, Mr. Pirouzi, who is on a Detention Order on a Secure Unit with privileges up to and including accessing the community of Toronto supported by staff, appeared before the Ontario Review Board (the “Board”) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (the “hospital”) for his annual hearing. The Board had before it as Exhibit 1 a Hospital Report dated September 8, 2025.
In preliminary positions, all parties jointly recommended that the significant threat threshold continued to be met, that a Detention Order should be the Disposition, but with two changes: the designation requiring Mr. Pirouzi to be on a Secure Unit should be changed to Forensic Services and that Mr. Pirouzi be awarded privileges up to indirectly supervised on hospital grounds. By the conclusion of the hearing, and after hearing the evidence and receiving submissions, the Board agreed that the joint position resulted in the least onerous and least restrictive Disposition.
Diagnoses
- Schizoaffective Disorder, bipolar type Stimulant Use Disorder, severe Cannabis Use Disorder, moderate Possible Alcohol Use Disorder Antisocial Personality Traits Possible Intellectual Disability and/or ADHD Neurocognitive Disorder due to traumatic Brain Injury
Index Offence
- The circumstances giving rise to the index offences are extracted last year’s Reasons for Disposition, as follows:
“On October 9, 2023, at approximately 22:23 hours, Mr. Pirouzi walked into the Tim Hortons located at 2245 Yonge Street and was acting belligerent. He approached the cashier and pushed the acrylic partition separating the cashiers and customers, causing it to break. He then left. On October 14, 2023, he re-attended the Tim Hortons and was recognized by the employees, who contacted police. Police attended and he was arrested.
On October 20, 2023, at approximately 12:07 hours, Mr. Pirouzi entered the Bulk Mine candy store located at 655 Yonge St in Toronto. The victim, an employee of the store, was working in the store on her own. Mr. Pirouzi approached the victim and said, "Hi, how are you?" Mr. Pirouzi then grabbed the victim's breasts, causing the victim to scream and jump backwards. Mr. Pirouzi then left the store without saying anything further or purchasing any products. The victim contacted police, and a still photo from video surveillance was obtained by officers. An officer familiar with Mr. Pirouzi identified him. At approximately 20:00 hours, Mr. Pirouzi attended 52 Division and began banging on a police vehicle. He was recognized from the photograph distributed and was wearing the same clothing. Mr. Pirouzi was placed under arrest.”
Background
Mr. Pirouzi was born and raised in Iran until age 16. He came to Canada alone. He is capable to consent to treatment. He is incapable to manage his own property. It is reported that Mr. Pirouzi’s mother was physically and verbally abusive toward him. He was sexually assaulted by a neighbour at nine years of age. He is supported by ODSP.
Mr. Pirouzi started using cannabis consistently at age 17. Alcohol consumption in large quantities started at the same age. He began to consume cocaine and crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, fentanyl and MDMA. Mr. Pirouzi has an extensive psychiatric history dating back to 2013 with numerous admissions and visits to emergency departments.
Mr. Pirouzi’s criminal record is extensive with numerous assaults, some sexual assaults and many breaches of court orders.
Evidence at Hearing
The Board heard from Dr. C. Arnold, the patient’s psychiatrist since this past July. Dr Arnold works under the supervision of Dr. Kravtsenyuk, who was also in attendance.
Dr. Arnold reviewed that Mr. Pirouzi remains a significant threat to the safety of the public.
Dr. Arnold noted that Mr. Pirouzi was now at Level 4 privileges, accompanied into the community, and is using his passes to the maximum. The next step is the awarding of indirectly supervised on hospital grounds. It is premature to consider indirect passes into the community. On accompanied privileges, Mr. Pirouzi has engaged members of the public and has had to be redirected. The change to Forensic Services would permit a move to a General Unit but the forensic team has not yet discussed when that could happen.
Overall, the year has seen progression. Mr. Pirouzi is working well with the team and accepts recommendations. There have been no instances this past reporting year of violence although there have been indications of unpredictable outbursts, agitation and insults. Positive symptoms of psychosis continue to be present.
There was only one incident of seclusion this past year, but it quickly resolved.
There has been no use of substances, and no absences without leave.
Mr. Pirouzi is well liked on the unit by all staff. Before a patient reaches Level 5 – indirect passes on hospital grounds – there is an extensive training module that a patient must participate in.
Mr. Pirouzi had some physical challenges this reporting year. He had a heart valve replaced and he has gained weight. Both those needs are followed. Mr. Pirouzi is now taking medication for diabetes. Before clozapine was administered a careful review of risks was undertaken given his heart history. Mr. Pirouzi has adjusted to clozapine well.
Mr. Pirouzi is capable of consenting to treatment. There have been some discussions about ECT treatment. Some years ago, he began ECT, but an elopement meant that that treatment had to be stopped.
Cognitive issues are not a current priority. Mr. Pirouzi had a psychological assessment in past. If Mr. Pirouzi progresses to the point that community living is realistic, the hospital will re-examine the need for an updated assessment. If Mr. Pirouzi ever entered the community, he would probably be amenable to returning to the hospital if symptoms or other issues arose. Mr. Pirouzi’s counsel observed that his client’s mental health has tangibly improved. Until this year, Mr. Pirouzi would have had difficulty sitting through the hearing.
Mr. Pirouzi is probably permanently unfit without a prospect of becoming fit to stand trial.
Analysis
- There has been some positive progress this past year. There has been an absence of violence although outbursts continue. The Board was provided with a joint submission. The submission makes sense. The proposed changes will permit ongoing progression. The disposition with changes represents the least onerous and least restrictive disposition that balances safety of the public and the patient’s needs. We wish Mr. Pirouzi well in the upcoming year.
DATED this 28th day of October 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Region of Toronto.
Mr. M.D. Segal Alternate Chairperson
Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board