16-month sentence for man who assaulted Muslim women in mall parking lot
Richard Bradley Stevens, 43, has been sentenced to 16 months in jail and two years probation for assaulting two Muslim women in an Edmonton parking lot in 2020.
The Somali mother and her daughter told police they were sitting in their car in the Southgate Centre parking lot Dec. 8, 2020, when Stevens came up to the passenger side of their car and started yelling at them.
He shattered a car window before knocking one of the women to the ground and assaulting her.
The other woman tried to intervene, and was also pushed to the ground.
The women said Stevens swore at them and told them to go back to their country before witnesses stepped in and stopped the assault.
The case was heard in mental health court because Stevens has a history of drug-induced psychosis, but the judge found drugs and mental health were not factors in the attack.
The judge sentenced Stevens to more time than the eight to 10 months the Crown requested, saying his actions were motivated by hate, adding Stevens has a history of prejudice and had stated to others after his arrest for assault that he would do it again.
The judge also said Stevens’ actions emboldened others to target Muslim women in Edmonton in the months that followed.
“There’s no doubt that this heinous islamaphobic attack left a tremendous amount of pain on Edmonton and Alberta and especially on Black Muslim women, those who wear hijabs and other visible and vulnerable Muslims,” said Dalal Souraya of the National Council of Canadian Muslims. “Their voices and the voices of those who were attacked are reflected in today’s decision.”
The National Council of Canadian Muslims says it will launch a civil suit shortly to seek damages on behalf of the victims for the attack.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's David Ewasuk and The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.