National

13 years for Amanda Todd's tormentor

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Oct, 2022 03:07 PM

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. - A British Columbia judge has sentenced a man she called an "internet sextortionist" to 13 years in prison for tormenting British Columbia teen Amanda Todd before she died by suicide.

Justice Martha Devlin of the B.C. Supreme Court says Aydin Coban's calculated conduct caused the girl mental anguish and social isolation, contributing to her suicide after he told Todd he would ruin her life.

The sentence is longer than the 12 years suggested by the Crown, but Devlin said Coban's conduct calls for "sharp rebuke."

The story of the 15-year-old girl gained worldwide attention when she posted a video weeks before her death in 2012 using flash cards to explain how she was harassed and extorted by an anonymous online predator.

Devlin says Coban used an arsenal of fake social media sites and went to great lengths to search out Todd's family members and friends to maximize the harm after she pleaded for him to stop.

More coming.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

More thunderstorms threaten southern B.C.

The BC Wildfire Service website says 45 new fires have been recorded in the last two days, including one suspected lightning-caused blaze near Monte Lake, the same area where a massive wildfire destroyed homes last year.

More thunderstorms threaten southern B.C.

'Transformative' change possible, says Anjali Appadurai, 2nd NDP leadership candidate

Anjali Appadurai is the second declared candidate in the leadership contest, joining NDP member of the legislature David Eby, who stepped away from his jobs as attorney general and minister in charge of housing to run for leader.

'Transformative' change possible, says Anjali Appadurai, 2nd NDP leadership candidate

Sentencing next month for man guilty of sextortion

Justice Martha Devlin set the hearing for Aydin Coban to begin on Sept. 20 in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster. A jury delivered a unanimous verdict on Saturday convicting Coban of extortion, harassment, communication with a young person to commit a sexual offence, and possession and distribution of child pornography in Todd's case.

Sentencing next month for man guilty of sextortion

Lightning could complicate B.C. wildfire woes

Severe thunderstorm watches blanketed the B.C. interior from Prince George south to the U.S. border on Thursday. BC Wildfire Service information officer Karley Desrosiers said the forecast of lightning, gusty winds and high temperatures could make firefighting a challenge.

Lightning could complicate B.C. wildfire woes

Woman found with gunshot wounds in Downtown Eastside: VPD

Officers discovered the injured 39-year-old near Main Street and East Cordova just before 1 a.m., after she approached a passerby and asked for help. When officers arrived, they found the victim badly injured. VPD provided immediate first aid to the woman, who was taken to hospital and is now receiving treatment for serious injuries.

Woman found with gunshot wounds in Downtown Eastside: VPD

More people attached to language than Canada: poll

The survey, which was conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies, found 88 per cent of respondents reported a strong sense of attachment to their primary language, whereas 85 per cent reported the same for Canada.