A Brampton man has received a 2.5-year prison sentence for orchestrating a kidnapping and an attempted kidnapping of two women within a two-day span in May 2021. The court heard that despite being arrested and released with conditions after the first incident, the perpetrator targeted another woman shortly thereafter. Superior Court Justice James Stribopoulos highlighted that the accused preyed on women who were alone in public spaces, exploiting their initial willingness to assist him through deceptive means. When his attempts to coerce the women failed, he resorted to assault, leaving both victims with profound fear for their lives.

Details of the Kidnapping Incident

The first offense occurred on May 21, 2021. The perpetrator, then 22 years old, approached a woman walking alone in Mississauga, near Hurontario Street and Eglinton Avenue, while she was on her phone. He falsely claimed his own phone was malfunctioning and asked to borrow hers. After she agreed, he pretended to use the device while walking towards a vehicle in a nearby shopping plaza parking lot. He then offered the woman a ride to Square One shopping centre, which she accepted.

During the drive, the woman became suspicious when she realized he was heading in the opposite direction. When she questioned him, he stated he needed to visit a friend’s house first. He retained her cellphone. As she attempted to retrieve it, he pushed her away and physically assaulted her, including punching her in the face. The judge recounted that the woman, fearing for her safety, attempted to escape by opening the passenger door while the vehicle was in motion, with her feet dragging on the road. The perpetrator prevented her escape by forcefully closing the door and striking her again. Another motorist witnessed the alarming incident and contacted emergency services.

The vehicle, registered to the perpetrator’s stepfather, eventually stopped approximately 11 kilometers from their starting point. The man ordered the woman to exit and then drove away. He was apprehended the following day, admitting to giving the woman a ride but claiming she had assaulted him. He was subsequently released on an undertaking with specific conditions.

Attempted Kidnapping Two Days Later

Undeterred by his arrest and release, the man committed another offense on May 23, 2021. He approached a different woman in a North York shopping plaza near Finch Avenue West and Pearldale Avenue, again requesting to use her cellphone. After she agreed, he appeared to make a call. As she followed him, he sat in the back of a vehicle and offered her a ride home, which she declined.

According to court proceedings, the perpetrator then forcibly grabbed her arm, attempting to pull her into the vehicle and repeatedly ordering her to get inside. The woman screamed and resisted. When she managed to create some distance, he pursued her, wrapping his arms around her and trying to drag her back. During this struggle, he punched her multiple times on her left side.

A passerby observed the altercation and alerted authorities, while another individual captured a photograph of the incident. Justice Stribopoulos stated that the man ultimately succeeded in pulling the woman head-first into the vehicle. However, intervention from another passerby enabled her to escape. The perpetrator was arrested on May 24, 2021, and was later granted bail for the attempted kidnapping charge under strict conditions and surety supervision.

Sentencing and Victim Impact

On September 26, 2025, on the eve of his trial, the man pleaded guilty to the charges of kidnapping and attempted kidnapping. An unsuccessful motion for a stay of proceedings preceded his plea.

Justice Stribopoulos emphasized the aggravating factors in the case, particularly that the attempted kidnapping occurred just two days after the initial kidnapping and merely one day after the perpetrator had been charged and released. The judge asserted that sentences for kidnapping and attempted kidnapping must serve to denounce such behavior. He underscored the vulnerability of the victims, noting that they were women alone in public spaces, and stated that all individuals, especially women and children, have the right to move freely within their communities without the fear of abduction.

Both victims continue to experience significant psychological distress as a result of these traumatic events. The first woman expressed in a victim impact statement that she feared for her life during the ordeal and now perceives the world as a more dangerous place. The second woman reported living in a constant state of fear and has required therapeutic intervention.

Background and Psychological Assessment

The perpetrator, who had no prior criminal record and was 22 at the time of the offenses, presented a defense suggesting he was experiencing depression and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. A forensic psychologist who assessed him concluded that his mental health had been deteriorating since his late teens, with a marked worsening during the pandemic. He had also reportedly increased his cannabis use significantly.

During his assessment, the perpetrator indicated to the psychologist that his actions were motivated by a desire to meet women. The psychologist’s evaluation deemed him to pose a low risk of reoffending.

The prosecution had sought a five-year prison sentence, while the defense advocated for a 12-month conditional sentence followed by a year of probation. Ultimately, Justice Stribopoulos imposed the 2.5-year sentence, taking into account the severity of the crimes, the proximity of the offenses, and the profound impact on the victims.