Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

Man charged in Abbotsford stabbing

Man charged in Abbotsford stabbing
Police in Abbotsford say a 33-year-old has been charged in a stabbing earlier this month now described as "intimate partner violence." Abbotsford police say Tu Cuong Tran is facing two counts of aggravated assault after two victims were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries on September 16th.

Man charged in Abbotsford stabbing

Some wind warnings, high streamflow advisory remain in place for B.C. coast

Some wind warnings, high streamflow advisory remain in place for B.C. coast
A handful of wind warnings and a high streamflow advisory remain in place for parts of Vancouver Island and British Columbia's central coast after the region's first major wind storm of the fall. Environment Canada has wind warnings for the central coast, northern Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, with winds up to 110 kilometres an hour expected to ease by early Tuesday.

Some wind warnings, high streamflow advisory remain in place for B.C. coast

Long-term care profiting

Long-term care profiting
A report from British Columbia's advocate for seniors says profits for contracted long-term care facilities are growing significantly faster than expenses such as as direct care costs and staff wages. Isobel Mackenzie says in her latest report that a review of 181 facilities contracted to provide long-term care shows profit in 2022 increased 113 per cent over five years.

Long-term care profiting

Friend, community members remember 'humble,' 'genuine' Mountie killed in shooting

Friend, community members remember 'humble,' 'genuine' Mountie killed in shooting
Ridge Meadows RCMP Const. Rick O'Brien was shot and killed while executing a warrant in Coquitlam, B.C., on Friday.  Nicholas Bellemare, 25, has been charged with first degree murder and attempted murder with a firearm in the shooting incident that killed O'Brien and injured two other officers.

Friend, community members remember 'humble,' 'genuine' Mountie killed in shooting

Flag raising at B.C. legislature honours residential school survivors, lost children

Flag raising at B.C. legislature honours residential school survivors, lost children
Fresh fall winds helped mark a flag-raising ceremony today at the British Columbia legislature honouring residential school survivors and remembering children who never came home. The orange and white Survivors' Flag will be flown at the front lawn of the legislature until sundown on Saturday, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Flag raising at B.C. legislature honours residential school survivors, lost children

New immigration minister says one-click citizenship oath still worth considering

New immigration minister says one-click citizenship oath still worth considering
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says the controversial idea to allow new Canadians to take their oath of citizenship with the click of a button is still a good option that's worth considering, but there are no immediate plans for implementation.  The government asked for public feedback in February about the idea to allow new Canadians to skip a virtual or in-person ceremony and opt instead to take the oath with the click of a mouse. 

New immigration minister says one-click citizenship oath still worth considering