The accused was tried on a summary conviction charge of stealing a 2021 luxury sport utility vehicle.
The prosecution relied entirely on circumstantial evidence, including surveillance footage, timing, and the accused's later possession of the complainant's key fobs at his workplace.
The trial judge found the evidence established to a near certainty that the accused had possession of the stolen vehicle shortly after the theft and that he was the person seen on the surveillance videos.
However, applying the strict circumstantial-evidence framework, the court held that other reasonable inferences remained, including innocent possession after the true thief loaned the vehicle and keys to the accused.
The Crown therefore failed to prove the theft allegation beyond a reasonable doubt, and an acquittal followed.
