Safiya Monifa Rose

The accused was charged with assaulting the complainant on June 15, 2015.

The Crown alleged that the accused pushed the complainant with both hands, causing her to fall, and then kicked her in the chest with significant force.

The accused denied the assault, claiming the complainant was attacking him and that he was attempting to leave the house to catch a bus for basketball training.

The trial judge found that the accused's evidence raised a reasonable doubt regarding his guilt and acquitted him of the charge.

The accused pleaded guilty to extortion contrary to section 346(1.1)(b) of the Criminal Code.

The accused had demanded $2,000 from a co-worker and former intimate partner, threatening to falsely report him to police for sexual assault.

The Crown sought six months incarceration; the defence sought a suspended sentence.

The court imposed a conditional sentence of six months to be served in the community (house arrest) with a curfew, followed by one year of probation with 60 hours of community service.

The court found that while general and specific deterrence were necessary, a conditional sentence was appropriate given the accused's lack of criminal record, amenability to rehabilitation, and the fact that the accused was a non-violent offender.