Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

Amanda Todd's mom urges more jail time for tormentor, as Dutch court mulls sentence

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Dec, 2023 10:50 AM
  • Amanda Todd's mom urges more jail time for tormentor, as Dutch court mulls sentence

The mother of B.C. teenager Amanda Todd, who was bullied into suicide by a Dutch national, says she'll be "so angry" if a court in Amsterdam doesn't give him significant extra jail time on the basis of his Canadian conviction last year.

Judges at the Amsterdam District Court said earlier today they would rule in two weeks on the conversion of the 13-year sentence for Aydin Coban, who was convicted of the extortion and harassment of Amanda.

Mother Carol Todd, who's in Washington, D.C., to speak to a group campaigning against child exploitation, says the Dutch process is part of a "never-ending story," a remark echoing a message held up by Amanda in a YouTube video describing her ordeal before she died in 2012.

She says the timing of the latest hearing, a week after Amanda's birthday, has been difficult, but she will continue to raise awareness of online predators driven by "a mother's love and a mother's passion" to keep other children safe.

Coban was already serving an 11-year Dutch sentence for cyberbullying more than 30 other victims when he was sent to Canada to stand trial in the Todd case, on the condition he serve any sentence in the Netherlands.

Coban's lawyers say he should get no extra time in a Dutch prison for the Todd case, while prosecutors say Coban should serve about 4 1/2 years of his Canadian sentence in the Netherlands.

The Canadian sentence must be converted in order to conform with Dutch rules.

Coban blackmailed 15-year-old Amanda to expose herself in front of a webcam. She took her own life after recounting her ordeal in the YouTube video that has been watched by millions around the world.

Earlier this year, the Amsterdam court said it needed more information from Canadian authorities before converting the sentence. That information was added to the case dossier but not explained in Thursday's hearing.

Coban was not in court for the brief hearing where his lawyer, Robert Malewicz, told a three-judge panel his client should get no extra time, but if they disagree, they should impose a maximum sentence of one year, with half the sentence suspended.

The Amsterdam court said it would deliver its sentencing judgment on Dec. 21. It can be appealed in the Dutch Supreme Court.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Body found at Langley building explosion not a homicide: police

Body found at Langley building explosion not a homicide: police
Investigators have determined that a body found at the scene of an explosion in Langley, B.C., was not murder. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says in a statement that police came to the conclusion along with the BC Coroners Service, although it didn't explain why.

Body found at Langley building explosion not a homicide: police

Truck driver's identity who hit a North Vancouver overpass known

Truck driver's identity who hit a North Vancouver overpass known
The province says investigators now know the identity of the truck driver who hit a North Vancouver overpass last month. It says the driver abandoned their vehicle after the accident.  

Truck driver's identity who hit a North Vancouver overpass known

Man drives vehicle through scene of crash in Coquitlam

Man drives vehicle through scene of crash in Coquitlam
Coquitlam RCMP say a man was arrested for allegedly driving his vehicle through the scene of a fatal collision. Police say a passenger in one of the vehicles involved in the October 19th collision has since died of their injuries and a driver remains in hospital.  

Man drives vehicle through scene of crash in Coquitlam

Guilty plea in UBC crash

Guilty plea in UBC crash
A Vancouver man accused in the dangerous driving deaths of two University of British Columbia students has pleaded guilty. The B-C Prosecution Service says 23-year-old Tim Goerner pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving causing death earlier this month.  

Guilty plea in UBC crash

Indo-Canadian man fined $20K for immigration fraud

Indo-Canadian man fined $20K for immigration fraud
An Indian-origin man has been fined $20,000 for his role in a scheme that charged newcomers tens of thousands for permits to work in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Avtar Singh Sohi, 42, pleaded guilty on Monday to misrepresentation under the Canada Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. 

Indo-Canadian man fined $20K for immigration fraud

Two men charged after blind, non-verbal woman abducted in stolen van in Edmonton

Two men charged after blind, non-verbal woman abducted in stolen van in Edmonton
Two men are facing charges after a van was stolen in Edmonton with a 40-year-old woman inside who is blind and non-verbal. Edmonton police issued an Amber Alert on Thursday for the woman.  

Two men charged after blind, non-verbal woman abducted in stolen van in Edmonton