The three men charged in connection to the death of Owen Sound restaurant owner Sharif Rahman pled guilty to the offences on Friday.
Justice Christopher Chorney accepted the guilty plea of Robert Evans Jr. for manslaughter. Robert Evans Sr. and Barry Evans pled guilty to being accessories after the fact.
The Crown is seeking a sentence of 42 months for Evans Jr., which when including pretrial custody, would leave about eight months remaining. He will return for sentencing on July 10.
Evans Jr. took the opportunity provided to tell the court he was sorry for the damage done to Rahman’s family.
“I know he was a good man and respected in the community. He was a family man: a husband and a father. This never should have happened, I didn’t mean for him to die,” he told the judge. “There’s so many things I could have done differently that day. I think about it every night, and I’m sickened by the damage I’ve caused... I’m sorry to this community, as I know my actions have hurt so many in Owen Sound that loved, respected or viewed Mr. Rahman as a friend. Again, I’m truly sorry.”
The agreed statement of facts shared with the court outlined how the trio came to Canada in the first place. Evans Jr. and Sr. entered Canada on June 4, 2023, under the aliases of Michael and Justin Jones. Barry Evans entered Canada on June 17, 2023. Each of the men entered through Toronto International Airport from Glasgow. All three went to work for a group that went door-to-door in Bruce and Grey counties, offering to pave driveways.
On August 17, Barry Evans went to a Travelodge Motel in Owen Sound with another young man and registered as guests. After registering they went with Evans Jr. to the Curry House around 8:30 p.m.
The group ordered $145 worth of food. After consuming some, Evans Jr. went out for a cigarette. Around 9:20 p.m. the other two went outside to meet him, but no one had paid.
Rahman confronted the group outside and Evans Jr. tried to get away. Rahman grabbed onto him to prevent him from leaving. Evans Jr. then punched him in the face and Rahman fell back and hit his head on the sidewalk. Another employee, Adnan Hussain, also intervened , but after a struggle, Evans Jr. got away.
Barry Evans took off in a grey Ford Escape, collected the other two, and drove them to the Collingwood area.
Rahman was taken to Owen Sound hospital, where he was found to have a skull fracture and brain bleed. He died from his injuries in London hospital.
Barry Evans went back to the Travelodge two days later to collect the cash deposit he left and convinced the clerk to give him the document that had the only physical record of their registration.
Robert Evans Sr. then asked another worker to purchase a return ticket for his son and to drive him to the airport for $50. Evans Jr. left the country on August 19 and CCTV showed that when he landed in London, he had shaved his moustache and beard.
On March 1, 2024, Canada-wide warrants were issued for the trio. They were located and arrested by UK police almost a full year later.
The trio agreed to be extradited to Ontario to face charges and were transported over on December 11.
During submissions, Adam Weisberg, defence for Evans Jr., noted that it was a true early guilty plea, saying there were triable issues in the case, including the potential for self-defence based on the actions of Rahman. He said not only did this save the court time and resources, it spares the family and the community a difficult trial.
Rahman’s wife did not want to file a victim impact statement, but the Crown noted it was a profound loss for her and her daughter, and a true tragedy.
The Crown is also seeking a 21-month sentence for Evans Sr. and Barry Evans, but noted they have accumulated the equivalent of 34 months pretrial custody. Their lawyers also shared statements that expressed apologies on their behalf.
All three will be subject to a DNA order and a 10-year weapons prohibition.
