Re: Leslie H. Dennis
ORB File No: 5419
Hearing held on: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Place of hearing: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Via Zoom Videoconference
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. M. Segal Members: Dr. T. Verny Dr. S. Wiseman Ms. J. Fuller Ms. C. Plyley
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Leslie H. Dennis Counsel: Mr. C. Hynes
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Ms. S. Rosales Zelaya
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. D. Brandes
REASONS FOR DECISION
(Dated February 24, 2026)
Leslie H. Dennis, age 65, was, on August 6th, 2009, found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of assault (x2), assault with a weapon (x2), mischief not exceeding $5,000, mischief endangering life, assault with intent to resist arrest, and utter a threat to cause death or bodily harm, all contrary to the Criminal Code.
Mr. Dennis was subject to a Conditional Discharge overseen by the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (“the hospital”), dated March 26, 2025. An early hearing was requested that was held on November 26, 2025. That resulted in a Detention Order with privileges up to and including community living in approved accommodation on December 9, 2025, with Reasons delivered on January 21, 2026. On December 22, 2025, the Ontario Review Board (“the Board”), received written notice that on December 16, 2025, Mr. Dennis was admitted to hospital on an inpatient basis.
On January 21, 2026, the Board held a Restriction of Liberty hearing. Mr. Dennis had lost his housing because of repeated breaches of the rules and was scheduled for an eviction hearing on January 12, 2026. Mr. Dennis decided to agree to vacate prior to the eviction hearing. That step avoided an adverse finding of eviction that would have hampered future placements in the community. Mr. Dennis was therefore homeless. He cooperated with the authorities and is now in hospital seeking another community placement.
At the hearing, the Board was presented with a joint submission that the Restriction of Liberty was and continues to be necessary and appropriate, and the least onerous and least restrictive step that was available. By the conclusion of the hearing, the Board agreed. No changes to the Disposition were required.
The Board had before it a Restriction of Liberty hospital report, dated January 9th, 2026, and a hospital report dated October 14th, 2025. The Board had also before it the two most recent Dispositions and two most recent sets of Reasons for Disposition.
Evidence at Hearing
Dr. A. Igomenou, the patient's psychiatrist, testified. There were no major updates. The doctor noted that it was unfortunate that Mr. Dennis lost his housing. A reduced level of supervision on a Conditional Discharge did not work out. The process for looking for other housing is underway. The doctor was of the view that greater supervision is necessary than was in place during his most recent lodging. The doctor noted that Mr. Dennis had done better in more supervised housing in past. Mr. Dennis' mental health is now stable. There has been no violence or aggression.
The hospital report indicates that Mr. Dennis has schizophrenia, substance use disorder (cannabis and alcohol) in remission and anti-social personality disorder. The report reviews the index offences and sets out the basis for finding that the patient continues to present a significant risk to the safety of the public which the Board endorses.
As noted in the hospital report, between February and December 2025, there were many property rule infractions. They included smoking, including cannabis, leaving doors unlocked, allowing non-residents to enter the property, even in his absence, facilitating trespassing of an evicted former co-tenant. Despite numerous attempts by staff at the home and the forensic outpatient team to reinforce the rules and regulations, the conduct continued. Since his last hearing, there have also been additional risk issues, including threats to staff from his guests and criminal damage to communal areas by them. The eviction hearing was scheduled for January 12th, 2026, but did not go ahead. Mr. Dennis was admitted to hospital on December 16th, 2025. Mr. Dennis minimizes his conduct. The doctor noted that Mr. Dennis ‘generous nature contributes to others taking advantage of him.
There is no timeline that would predict finding new, more supportive housing.
Analysis
All parties agreed that hospitalization made sense, given Mr. Dennis had nowhere to live. Mr. Dennis cooperated in relation to his most recent readmission and continues to reside at the hospital. His stance at the hearing, advanced through his counsel, Mr. Hynes, is consistent with his cooperative attitude.
While the re-hospitalization was unfortunate, there was no other alternative to it. Efforts are being made to explore more supportive housing, but there is no timeline that can be formulated for that. In the meantime, Mr. Dennis' mental health is stable. He is now comfortable. He agreed that fighting the eviction would have been pointless and that an adverse finding on his record would have hampered the ability to secure new housing. The Restriction of Liberty was appropriate and the least onerous and least restrictive measure that could be taken. The Restriction of Liberty continues to be appropriate.
The current disposition is appropriate. We wish Mr. Dennis well.
DATED this 24th day of February, 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Mr. M. Segal Alternate Chairperson
Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board