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When one is a suspect in the commission of a violent crime, one’s natural inclination may be to try to avoid detection by staying out of sight. A better idea may be to simply cooperate with authorities, within reason. A man accused of sexual assault in Toronto chose that route, after police issued a warrant for his arrest.
The incident allegedly occurred on March 23 in an apartment building near Jane Street and Sheppard Avenue. A 17-year-old girl reported she had been held at gunpoint and sexually assaulted. A police statement indicated she was apparently recorded on video at some point during the assault.
The alleged victim is said to have left the building at her earliest opportunity and called police. Toronto Police issued the warrant on March 25, and the suspect turned himself in the following day. An 18-year-old man now faces charges of forcible confinement, assault, sexual assault, pointing a firearm, use of an imitation firearm to commit an indictable offence, possessing a weapon for committing an offence, theft under $5,000 and mischief under $5,000.
For such a young man to face so many charges may be confusing and frightening. The consequences of a conviction for sexual assault and other serious crimes for a teenager may have an impact on the rest of his life. He has done the right thing by surrendering to authorities. However, there is still a difficult road ahead of him. Another wise idea for anyone accused of a major crime may be to consult with a criminal defence lawyer as early in the proceedings as possible for assistance.
Source: cp24.com, “Suspect wanted in alleged sex assault of teen in North York surrenders to police“, Codi Wilson, March 27, 2017