23940 replies to this topic

[pontcanna]

Ex-masseur convicted of sexually assaulting clients has legal aid granted to file appeal

Times Colonist 7 Dec 2025

A former Victoria masseur found guilty of sexually assaulting 5 female clients has won his fight to have a lawyer appointed to help him appeal his conviction & sentence.

Ajesh Jacob was tried on 9 counts of sexual assault involving 9 women on whom he performed treatments at Big Feet, a massage/reflexology spa on Fort St, between May 2019 - March 2021.

Jacob was convicted on 5 counts last December and received a jail sentence of 2 yrs less a day in March.

Jacob is currently incarcerated and wants to appeal both conviction & sentence. While he had a lawyer at trial, he is now unrepresented. His application for legal aid was denied for reasons that were not financial. A BC Court of Appeal decision granted an order that counsel be appointed to assist Jacob in his appeals. The reason for the denial of his legal aid request was not given.

Jacob is appealing on the grounds that his charter right to an interpreter & a speedy trial were breached, and that the sentencing judge did not properly take into account the consequences of his sentence on his status in Canada.

More: https://digitaltimes...281599541818235

[Love the rock]

What a joke this guy has a masters in English language and history and he needs an interpreter at the court’s  expense . Unfortunately a delay in trying to find one is what he’s fighting . I hope he’s on the first flight back to India when  is jail term is over. 

[pontcanna]

viccrimestop

 

Time for a Crime Stoppers Math Equation! 

What do you get when someone enters a store with $0, and no regard for the law, and then leaves without paying for 6 Milwaukee heated jackets?

Here are a few additional equations for you:

1. If each jacket has 3 heat settings, how hot are we going to be on his trail? (Round to the nearest degree)
2. How many excuses can you fit in the pockets of a Milwaukee Jacket?
3. If 6 Jackets – Payment = Theft then what does Theft x CCTV Cameras = ?

Please comment your answer and show your work or show us their name – either works!

 

If anyone has information that may lead to the identification of this suspect, please contact the Police or if you want to tell us anonymously, please call 1-800-222-8477. You may also submit a tip online by visiting www.victoriacrimestoppers.ca

Saanich Police File #25-22529

[pontcanna]

Murder investigation underway after missing Nanaimo woman found inside burned vehicle

Dec 9, 2025 

 

NANAIMO — Mounties are investigating the apparent murder of a Nanaimo woman. Sherry Shelley, 65, was reported missing Nov. 14, with RCMP now stating her remains were found inside a burned vehicle in a wooded area on College Dr the same day.

The investigation is led by the Serious Crimes Unit. They’re attempting to determine how her white VW Tiguan, went from the N Nanaimo area to College Dr.

“They have done extensive canvassing in the College Dr. area but are now looking for people to check their dashcam & external surveillance cameras from 11 pm Nov. 13 to 3 am Nov. 14. It’s unclear which way her car was going, but we do know she was in her car.”

RCMP are particularly interested in routes from the Doumont area to College Dr. via Nanaimo Pkwy, Jingle Pot Rd., or from Harwood Rd. in Lantzville, along Old Logging Rd. to Vipond Rd.

Contact RCMP @ 250 754 2345, file #2025-36216.

RCMP: The nearly month-long delay in public reporting was due to difficulty in identifying remains & needing to notify her family first.

 

More: https://nanaimonewsn...burned-vehicle/

[Victoria Watcher]

 

RCMP: The nearly month-long delay in public reporting was due to difficulty in identifying remains & needing to notify her family first.

 

 

They likely knew it was her car on day #1 though.  They could have put out the appeal for dash video then.

 

Dashcam vidoes generally overwrite in 24 or 48 hours, mostly.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 December 2025 - 09:44 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

A man charged in two high-profile B.C. extortion incidents was living in Canada on an expired student visa at the time of his alleged crimes, according to court records.

 

CBC News has learned that Vikram Sharma was flagged by authorities weeks before attacks in Surrey and on Vancouver Island in 2024 because he allegedly relied on fraudulent documents in his bid to extend the visa that first allowed him into Canada in June 2022.

 

The 24-year-old — whose student visa expired in April 2024 — is currently believed to be in India.

 

 

[..]

 

 

Kingra — who also came to Canada on a student visa — is serving six years in jail after pleading guilty to the attack on Dhillon's home this fall.

 

Both he and Sharma were charged in October in connection with a separate arson and shooting that occurred prior to the Vancouver Island case, at the home of a Surrey resident who had been subject to extortion threats.

 

 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...-cbsa-9.7007413

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 December 2025 - 09:47 AM.

[pontcanna]

Commander at CFB Esquimalt found not guilty of sexual assault

 

Captain Mark Iredale was charged with 3 counts of sexual assault and 3 counts of improper conduct in relation to a female subordinate, stemming from alleged incidents in 2016 & 2017.

After deliberation, a panel found Iredale not guilty of 4 of the charges – including the 3 counts of sexual assault. He was, however, found guilty of 2 counts of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline for comments he made.

 

More: https://cheknews.ca/...ssault-1293865/

[pontcanna]

Saanich Police Investigate Assault

December 10, 2025

On December 9, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Saanich Police responded to a report of an assault near the intersection of Elk Lake Road and Beaver Lake Road.

Officers located an individual who had sustained injuries; however, the person declined medical attention or additional supports.

A search of the park, with support from the Integrated Canine Service, was conducted, but no suspect was located.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male in his 30s, 5’8” to 5’10”, medium build, with buzzed short brown hair.

Anyone who saw an individual matching this description in the Beaver Lake area or was in the area between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. and may have dashcam footage is asked to please contact the Saanich Police at 250-475-4321.

This appears to be an isolated incident and our investigation is ongoing.

We remind anyone enjoying Saanich’s parks and trails to always remain aware of your surroundings.

File #25-23356

Jason Hallman | Communications Advisor

[Mike K.]

The partner of the man who was assaulted said a shoeless man pulled a knife on him when he was using the restroom at the park, and cut his face but couldn’t cause more harm.

People are also saying they there’s a homeless encampment hidden in those woods.

[Kyjen]

 

Saanich Police Investigate Assault

December 10, 2025

On December 9, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Saanich Police responded to a report of an assault near the intersection of Elk Lake Road and Beaver Lake Road.

 

From social media

Attached Images

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Edited by Kyjen, 10 December 2025 - 06:40 PM.

[pontcanna]

Jury convicts wrong-way driver of Nanoose Bay crash

Dec 10, 2025 

 

Millen

NANAIMO — Maverick John Millen was on trial at Nanaimo Supreme Court in relation to the Jan 11. 2019 wreck just after midnight when the offender drove north in the southbound lanes when he collided with an oncoming vehicle just north of a service station.

Millen, 32, was charged w/impaired CBH and dangerous driving CBH. He was found guilty on both counts Dec 9 after jurors deliberated for 4.5 hrs following trial.

Millen revealed to a paramedic while en-route to hospital that he had consumed 4 tequila and 4 rum & cokes. Defence floated the possibility of Millen being a passenger and that perhaps another driver abruptly left the accident scene.

The case has been bogged down by numerous delays, inc defence applications challenging Crown’s evidence.

 

More: https://nanaimonewsn...oose-bay-crash/

[Victoria Watcher]

Saanich police are investigating an assault Tuesday night near the intersection of Beaver Lake Road and Elk Lake Road, next to Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.

 

Police were alerted about 8:30 p.m. and located a man who had sustained injuries but declined medical attention or other support.

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...e-area-11608734

[pontcanna]

Oak Bay PD weekly news release:

 

[pontcanna]

viccrimestop

 

Victoria Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating a repeat violent offender.

Makena Morrison (formerly Jessica Ramahlo) is wanted for resisting arrest and assault of a police officer.

 

Morrison is described as
5’6”
201 lbs
Hair: curly shoulder length dark brown
Eyes: green

If anyone has information that can assist in locating this individual, please contact police or if you want to tell us anonymously, please call 1-800-222-8477. You may also submit a tip online by visiting www.victoriacrimestoppers.ca

Victoria Police case #2025-43110

[Victoria Watcher]

Daniel Empy was racing to restock his Nanaimo store’s shelves Thursday, after thieves broke into Commercial Street’s Primary Skateboards on Monday and stole so much that the crime could cost the small business all of its Christmas profits.

 

 “We were fully stocked for the Christmas season and they kind of gutted us out. So it puts us in a very tough position,” said Empy, who has been running Primary Skateboards for three years. 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...-store-1294378/

 

 

 

 

^ that could us a quick GoFundMe.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 December 2025 - 02:58 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Canada’s plan to expel those behind B.C.’s extortion epidemic has hit a roadblock after every single suspect sent for a deportation hearing claimed refugee status.

 

The foreign nationals were identified by B.C.’s Extortion Task Force, but once the Canada Border Services Agency began investigating them, all claimed to be refugees.

 

As a result, deportations of the 14 suspects have been put on hold until the Immigration and Refugee Board decides whether they have legitimate cases for asylum.

 

“The 14 individuals made a refugee claim after the CBSA initiated immigration investigations against them for alleged inadmissibility,” the border agency told Global News.

 

The immigration enforcement agency spokesperson said he would not comment further on the matter, and did not respond when asked if all were citizens of India.

 

The vice-chair of immigration at the Canadian Bar Association’s B.C. branch said the suspects’ alleged involvement in crime could still be raised during their refugee hearings.

 

The refugee board could reject their claims for asylum on the grounds they are inadmissible to Canada for criminality, Amandeep Hayer said.

 

But by making refugee claims, the suspects may have delayed their deportations for years, said Vancouver immigration lawyer Richard Kurland.

 

 

https://globalnews.c...ee-status-cbsa/

 

 

 

Indian crime groups such as the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which Canada listed as a terrorist group on Sept. 29, have been demanding exorbitant payoffs from business owners and others.

 

After threatening victims by phone, gang leaders in India will then send local foot soldiers to conduct arsons and shootings to pressure them to pay up.

Because the Indian government has allegedly used the Bishnoi gang to attack its political opponents in Canada, the issue has become intertwined with foreign interference and repression.

 

In September, the B.C. government formed an extortion task force to tackle “organized-crime activity involved in extortion-related threats.” It is led by the RCMP and composed of police and immigration officers.

 

[...]

 

As of Dec. 4, the CBSA had opened 96 investigations into foreign nationals identified through the extortion task force. Eleven of those have been issued removal orders, and five have already been deported.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 December 2025 - 04:11 AM.

[pontcanna]

More jail for prolific Nanaimo drug trafficker

 

Dec 12, 2025 

 

Alexander

 

NANAIMO — Marred by an extensive criminal history tied to life-long struggles, a local drug trafficker has been sentenced for a 2nd time this year.

 

Peter Anthony Alexander, 41, was handed 2.5 yrs of new jail time on Dec 11, in connection to a 2022 police raid in Nanaimo involving various drugs, weapons and cash.

 

Due to mid-Sept convictions on charges for a more substantial Pt Alberni drug bust several months before the Nanaimo incident, Alexander has 6 more yrs to serve. 

 

Cash, drug paraphernalia & weapons were also seized, incl brass knuckles, batons, imitation firearms & a homemade taser.

 

The following were located in the home: 280g fentanyl mixed w/benzos, 9g fentanyl, 11g meth, 11g MDA, 8g cocaine.

 

More: https://nanaimonewsn...rug-trafficker/

[pontcanna]

Nanaimo RCMP searching for Alberta man accused of sexually abusing a child

Dec 12, 2025 

 

Soloway

NANAIMO — A man accused of sex offences in Alberta may be in Nanaimo. Warrants are issued for 33-y/o Kyle Soloway from alleged 2023 incidents in Red Deer AB.

Soloway is charged w/sexual assault, sexual contact w/a child and failure to comply in AB, while a BC warrant was issued when he allegedly failed to comply w/a court order.

Soloway’s last known address was the Salvation Army New Hope Centre on Nicol St. last August.

He’s 6’1″, 180 lbs w/short brown hair, brown eyes, tribal-style tattoo on his upper R arm, a cross tattoo on his L hand & Chinese writing tattooed on his upper L arm.

Anyone w/info on the whereabouts of Soloway, call RCMP @ 250-754-2345, file #25-26500.

 

More: https://nanaimonewsn...busing-a-child/

[pontcanna]

VicPD Releases CCTV Footage to Identify Suspect in Downtown Incident

December 12, 2025 - File: #25-47620

Victoria, B.C. – VicPD officers are releasing CCTV footage of a suspect believed to be involved in an early-morning mischief incident at a business in the 1200-block of Wharf Street.

Last Tuesday, December 2, just after 1:00 a.m., VicPD received a report of a glass break alarm at a business in the area. Officers arrived on scene and found damage to the front door of one business, and a nearby plant pot belonging to another business also sustained damage.

Officers conducted a search of the business and confirmed there were no signs of forced entry. City of Victoria crews attended to secure the damaged door.


CCTV Footage Captures Suspect Linked to Early-Morning Mischief in Bastion Square Area on December 2

 

Link to video: https://cdn.jwplayer...eviews/KVHeIJsK

Investigators are asking anyone who recognizes the individual in the CCTV footage, or who has information about this incident, to contact the E-Comm non-emergency line at 250-995-7654 ext. 1, and reference file number 25-47620.

 

[pontcanna]

Victoria heritage home damaged by arson to be torn down for proposed development

 

A 1911 heritage home badly damaged in an arson attack will be removed to make way for a townhouse development on land owned by the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.

The home has deteriorated from neglect & water damage since the April 2022 attack on the home of Father Yuriy Vyshnevskyy and his family, next door to the church.

It will be demolished to make way for parking for a proposed 11-unit townhouse project at 1909 Cook St. and 1110-1112 Caledonia Ave.

Walter (Theo) Machinski of Nanaimo, a former priest at the church, pleaded guilty to 1 count of arson w/disregard for human life in setting the fire & was sentenced in Jun 2025 to 3.5 yrs prison.

 

More: https://www.timescol...opment-11617056