Ronald Chu

The accused was charged with human trafficking, receiving a material benefit, procuring, assault, and sexual assault in relation to two complainants.

The Crown alleged the accused recruited the complainants, who were both drug addicts, to work in the sex trade and exploited them by providing drugs in exchange for their earnings.

The court found the accused guilty of human trafficking and procuring for both complainants, and guilty of receiving a material benefit in relation to one complainant.

The accused was acquitted of assault, sexual assault, and receiving a material benefit in relation to the other complainant due to frailties in her testimony.

The applicant, charged with drug trafficking offences, brought a Charter application to exclude drug evidence seized following his arrest.

The applicant was initially detained for a drug investigation which yielded no evidence, but police continued to detain him for an additional 25 minutes to investigate a potentially stolen vehicle without informing him of the new reason for detention or re-cautioning him.

During this unlawful detention, police discovered cocaine near the applicant, leading to his arrest and a subsequent level 3 search that revealed more drugs.

The court found serious breaches of sections 9, 10(a), and 10(b) of the Charter and excluded the evidence under section 24(2), concluding its admission would bring the administration of justice into disrepute.

The accused applied to sever two sets of human trafficking and related charges involving two different complainants, arguing that a joint trial would be prejudicial.

The court dismissed the application, finding a sufficient factual and legal nexus between the allegations and that a similar fact application by the Crown was viable.

The court concluded that the public interest in a joint trial outweighed the potential prejudice to the accused.