Re Robert Isaac, 2025 CanLII 114826

Ontario Review Board

Re: Robert Isaac

ORB File No: 8827

Hearing held on: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Place of hearing: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto

Pursuant to: Section 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code

Before: Alternate Chairperson: Ms. L. Banks Members: Dr. L.E. Cappe Dr. C. Rose Hon. C. Nelson Mr. J. Cyr

Parties Appearing:

Accused: Robert Isaac Counsel: Ms. M. Addie

The Person in Charge of Hospital: Counsel: Mr. D. Blumenkrans

Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. D. Brandes

REASONS FOR DISPOSITION

(Dated November 6, 2025)

Introduction

1On July 9, 2025, Robert Isaac was found not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder on charges of armed robbery, theft under $5000, uttering threats to cause bodily harm, and assault with a weapon (x2). The Court directed that Mr. Isaac be detained at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (“CAMH”) pending an ORB Disposition hearing.

2On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the Ontario Review Board convened an initial Disposition hearing at CAMH.

3The hospital was represented by Mr. Blumenkrans, the Crown by Mr. Brandes, and Mr. Isaac was represented by Ms. Addie.

Position of the Parties

4At the outset, the parties were canvassed as to their recommendations to the Board. Mr. Blumenkrans advised the Board that the hospital was seeking a Detention Order within the Forensic Service with privileges up to access on the hospital grounds, indirectly supervised. Also, the hospital wanted community privileges up to and including indirectly supervised access within the Greater Toronto Area. In addition, the hospital sought an abstention from alcohol and all non-medically prescribed substances, and possession of weapons. As well, Mr. Isaac was to submit to random urine samples to assess for alcohol and substance use. Mr. Brandes supported the hospital, Ms. Addie conceded the issue of significant threat and also supported the hospital’s position. The matter, therefore, proceeded as a joint submission.

Index Offences

5“On June 27, 2024, at approximately 10:50AM, Mr. Isaac went to Shopper’s Drug Mart at 2206 Lakeshore Blvd, Toronto. He picked up a bottle of perfume from the shelf and concealed it in his pocket. The victim, an employee at Shopper’s Drug Mart, observed this and asked Mr. Isaac to return the item. Mr. Isaac denied taking the perfume. He sprayed the perfume in his pocket, which was noticed by the victim. Mr. Isaac then lifted his shirt and brandished a knife with a black handle and sliver blade in his waistband. The victim feared for her safety, disengaged, and authorities were contacted.

On August 28, 2024, at approximately 11:44AM, Mr. Isaac went to the LCBO at 900 Dufferin St, Toronto. He picked up a bottle of Bacardi Gold Rum, concealed it in his backpack, and exited the store without paying for the item. Employees at LCBO observed Mr. Isaac commit the offence and did not stop him. Mr. Isaac then attended to The Beer Store next door to Dufferin Mall at 904 Dufferin Street, picked out a pack of beer, and walked out of the store. Mr. Isaac then attended the Toys R’ Us store within Dufferin mall and was approached by Victim #1, a security guard, who told him to leave the mall. Mr. Isaac threatened Victim #1, stating, “It's my mall, I'm not leaving. Stay away from me, I have a knife. I'll stab you.” Mr. Isaac then left and walked to the parking lot. Victim #1 and a second security guard, Victim #2, approached Mr. Isaac and directed him to leave. Mr. Isaac brandished a knife from his pants and threatened both security guards that he would stab them. Mr. Isaac left the scene on a bus. He was located on the bus and was apprehended by police who found a knife, a pack of beer, and a bottle of Bacardi on his person. Mr. Isaac identified himself to police as “Robert Robinson” before being transported to 11 Division for a show cause hearing.

According to the psychiatric assessment report of criminal responsibility by Dr. Iosif dated May 2, 2025, Mr. Isaac stated he knowingly gave authorities the wrong name because “if you give them someone else’s name, you might not go to jail.”

Background

Personal and Childhood

6Mr. Isaac was born in Toronto on February 18, 1996. He reported that his mother was originally from Guyana. His parents separated. Mr. Isaac grew up with his mother and older brother in Moss Park, Toronto.

7Mr. Isaac’s mother worked as a doctor’s assistant at either Mt. Sinai or Sunnybrook and also worked in a bank. She also made money by flipping houses, and over several years, bought and sold six houses. She would live in the house that she flipped prior to selling; Mr. Isaac recalled helping her move. Mr. Isaac lived with his mother and brother until “I went on my own” at 30 years old. He lost contact with his mother many years ago and later learned that she died on May 18, 2014, at Toronto Western Hospital.

8Mr. Isaac did not know much about his father. He reported that his childhood was pretty good, that the Children's Aid Society was involved “once or twice ... apparently they were fighting with me ... not sure who ... maybe my mother”.

9Mr. Isaac reported getting along very well with his older brother when they were growing up. However, in adulthood, they started having conflicts. Mr. Isaac reported having four brothers who he did not have any contact with in the past 13 years. He reported that his father was a security guard (although he previously stated that his father was a doctor). Mr. Isaac stated that his father lived in Trinidad; however, he denied having contact with him.

Education and Conduct History

10Mr. Isaac attended high school at Central Technical School in Toronto. He dropped out in grade 10 when he was probably “27 years old” due to “things at home ... arguments ... couldn’t study properly”.

11After someone pulled a knife on him in high school, Mr. Isaac also began to carry a knife with him for self defense.

Employment History

12Mr. Isaac reported that in adulthood, he briefly held a handful of service and labour jobs. He reported that he has been financially supported through “welfare” for the majority of his adult life. Prior to his arrest, Mr. Isaac had been supported by the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Relationship History

13Mr. Isaac began a relationship with a black woman named Audrey when he was 32 years old and she was 29 years old. He stated that she became pregnant shortly after they got together, and later stated she became pregnant four years into their relationship. He did not know what year the child was born. His relationship with Audrey ended because she wanted to be with another man. Mr. Isaac also indicated that he had had eight sexual partners in the past, all of whom were women.

Medical History

14Mr. Isaac’s medical records indicate a history of type 2 diabetes, diagnosed in 2023. Psychological testing on January 28, 2022, made a diagnosis of mild neurocognitive disorder. This was thought to be secondary to Mr. Isaac’s history of substance use, severe mental illness and his developmental learning issues. On his self-report, Mr. Isaac endorsed a history of acquired brain injury from a stroke in the 1990s. There were no medical records to support this. He also frequently spoke of brain damage he acquired due to fentanyl overdoses.

Substance Abuse History

15Mr. Isaac has had a documented history of abusing cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, and opioids. There were many visits to emergency departments due to alcohol intoxication. Mr. Isaac was also noted to use intravenous cocaine and heroin and had a history of smoking crack cocaine. His introduction to alcohol first started when he was a toddler.

Psychiatric History

16Mr. Isaac has a documented diagnosis of schizophrenia and a history of polysubstance use disorder, specifically alcohol, stimulants (cocaine, crack), opioids and cannabis. An earlier diagnosis of bipolar disorder was documented; however, the diagnosis was revised to schizophrenia given persistent psychotic symptoms.

Legal History

17Mr. Isaac’s criminal record listed approximately 167 convictions, including theft, possession of stolen property, robbery, armed robbery, uttering threats, assault, assault with a weapon, failure to comply with probation, possession of narcotics, traffic in schedule 1 substances, and carrying a concealed weapon. His criminal record extended from December 8, 1982, until February 10, 2023.

Evidence at the Hearing

18The Board admitted into evidence a number of documents including two pre-conference reports, the Warrant of Committal, the criminal information, and Agreed Upon Statement of Facts, a CPIC, Dr. A. Iosif’s assessment to the court dated May 2, 2025, and the initial Hospital Report for the Ontario Review Board dated September 22, 2025. These documents were made exhibits.

19As Dr. Iosif’s assessment and the initial Hospital Report were made exhibits, it is not necessary to reproduce, in detail, the information contained in them. We note, however, that Mr. Isaac’s current diagnoses are schizophrenia, stimulant use disorder, cannabis use disorder, alcohol use disorder, possible opioid use disorder and antisocial personality traits.

20In addition to the documentary evidence, the Board heard from Dr. A. Chiorean, a Psychiatric Resident working with Dr. L. Eid, the author of the Hospital Report. Dr. Eid was present at the hearing as an observer.

21Dr. Chiorean stated that there were no major updates to the Hospital Report. After Mr. Isaac’s admission to the hospital, he was placed in the Forensic Assessment and Triage Unit (FATU). On admission, he appeared calm, coherent and cooperative. He agreed to take medication.

22Mr. Isaac kept to himself and engaged minimally with other patients on the unit. He agreed he had a mental illness. Taking medication made him feel “normal” but he stated that taking it would make him “sexually stronger, more powerful”. His insight with respect to medication fluctuated. He consistently denied that taking medication would reduce his risk of violence. He believed that other patients could be trying to poison him with fentanyl. He stated that he preferred being in a paranoid state as it allowed him to be hyperaware of his surroundings in order to protect himself. He wanted the ORB to help him “do better in my life”. He stated that he would benefit from supervision and not use drugs. He said “I don’t want to rush out ... I want to be ready”. He also wanted the Board to know that he never took cocaine deliberately.

23Dr. Chiorean testified that the ongoing plan for Mr. Isaac was to maintain ongoing treatment and gradually introduce pass privileges. In addition, substance abuse programming would be offered. The team would want to ensure that he would remain abstinent when using passes.

24Mr. Isaac suffers from schizophrenia. He has had a history of disorganized thoughts, paranoia, auditory hallucinations and delusions of being poisoned. He has presented as disorganized in thought and has shown occasional paranoia. However, his symptoms have been significantly attenuated by treatment with antipsychotic medication.

25The Hospital Report sets out Mr. Isaac’s Re-offence Scenario at page 23 as follows:

“In risk assessment, one of the best predictors is a patient’s history. Mr. Isaac’s index offences occurred in the context of substance use and symptoms of psychosis, including paranoia and delusional beliefs. He remained untreated in the community, used substances despite worsening of his mental state, and did not seek, or follow-through with, psychiatric services. In the absence of external monitoring and controls, Mr. Isaac will likely continue to use substances, remain psychiatrically untreated, and avoid psychiatric services. If Mr. Isaac were to reoffend, it would likely be in the context of the above, leading to disturbed perceptions and paranoid delusions, which would cause him to misperceive the behaviour of others, resulting in impulsive, agitated, and threatening behaviour. Behaviour could range from minor to serious threats and physical violence.”

26It remains unclear as to whether Mr. Isaac has neurodevelopmental cognitive deficits, a neurocognitive disorder secondary to a brain injury, cognitive difficulties secondary to his chronic primary mental illness and substance abuse, or a combination of the above. Neuropsychological testing may assist in clarifying this in the future. As a result, it is the opinion of the hospital that Mr. Isaac remains a significant threat to the safety of the public absent oversight by the ORB.

27It is the team’s opinion that Mr. Isaac requires ongoing inpatient hospitalization for continued assessment and optimization of treatment, including psychotherapeutic treatment. A discharge to the community is unlikely in the coming year.

28In answer to a question from Ms. Addie, Dr. Chiorean testified that Mr. Isaac is motivated to deal with his mental health. He understands that this will be a lengthy process but he is patient. He is on a good trajectory. The plan is to move Mr. Isaac from FATU to a secure forensic unit. He will need to be moved to a general unit before he can exercise indirectly supervised passes into the community.

29No further evidence was called.

Final Submissions

30All parties maintained their initial positions. Ms. Addie added that Mr. Isaac has been consistent in asking for help and is glad to have it.

Findings of the Board

31The Board, having considered the evidence and the joint submission of the parties, finds that Mr. Isaac remains a significant threat to the safety of the public. A Detention Order, therefore, is necessary to manage his risk. Mr. Isaac suffers from schizophrenia. He has had a long history of substance use which has affected his psychological functioning and has led to the worsening of his psychotic symptoms, numerous presentations to hospitals, and many criminal charges, including charges of assault. He has been violent and aggressive in the past and he is now in the very early days of treatment.

32A Detention Order within the Forensic Service is necessary and appropriate and the least onerous and least restrictive Disposition under the circumstances. Mr. Isaac is now on a better trajectory, this type of Disposition will give the hospital the flexibility to move Mr. Isaac to a general forensic unit should he continue to improve. This may well happen within the upcoming year.

33The Board wishes Mr. Isaac well.

34In arriving at our conclusion as to the appropriate Disposition, the Board has considered the paramount factor of the safety of the public, Mr. Isaac’s community reintegration, his mental condition and his other needs, all as required by s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.