S. Martins

The accused applied for a bail review under s. 520 of the Criminal Code after being detained following a breach of recognizance.

The court accepted that a material change existed due to a revised release plan including strict house arrest, continuous supervision by sureties, and electronic monitoring.

While the court found the proposed plan addressed the secondary ground concerning risk of further offences, the tertiary ground remained decisive.

Given the extremely serious allegations involving kidnapping, violent assault, extortion, and impersonating a police officer, together with the strength of the Crown’s evidence and the accused’s prior breach of release conditions, detention was necessary to maintain public confidence in the administration of justice.

The accused failed to discharge the reverse onus required to justify release.

The offender was sentenced after a jury conviction for procuring a person to become a prostitute and controlling the complainant’s movements for the purpose of prostitution, contrary to s. 212 of the Criminal Code.

The evidence established that the offender began a relationship with a vulnerable young woman, later directing her into prostitution, imposing earning quotas, and exercising substantial control over her activities for approximately 18 months while living off her earnings.

The offender also pleaded guilty to uttering threats against another complainant.

The court rejected the defence request for a conditional sentence, emphasizing denunciation and deterrence given the prolonged exploitation and control involved.

A penitentiary sentence of three years was imposed for the prostitution offences, with a concurrent six‑month sentence for uttering threats, along with a firearms prohibition and DNA order.