Close X
Friday, November 15, 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

Toxic drugs leading cause of death in B.C. for those age 10 to 59: coroner

Toxic drugs leading cause of death in B.C. for those age 10 to 59: coroner
British Columbia's coroner says drug toxicity is the leading cause of death in the province for those aged 10 to 59, far larger than homicides, suicides, accidents and natural diseases combined.  The statistic comes as the latest figures are released for August, saying there were 174 toxic-drug deaths last month. 

Toxic drugs leading cause of death in B.C. for those age 10 to 59: coroner

B.C. premier in Ottawa to discuss wildfires, infrastructure, clean energy

B.C. premier in Ottawa to discuss wildfires, infrastructure, clean energy
British Columbia Premier David Eby and six of his cabinet ministers are in Ottawa for two days to meet with federal policymakers on issues including housing, wildfires, and floods. Eby's office says the B.C. delegation will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and senior federal officials to discuss the clean-energy sector and support for critical infrastructure needs in communities.

B.C. premier in Ottawa to discuss wildfires, infrastructure, clean energy

NDP House leader says Speaker should resign after honouring man who fought for Nazis

NDP House leader says Speaker should resign after honouring man who fought for Nazis
Rota issued a written apology Sunday and repeated it in the House Monday morning. He said he alone was responsible for inviting and recognizing Yaroslav Hunka last Friday, who fought for the First Ukrainian Division during the Second World War.

NDP House leader says Speaker should resign after honouring man who fought for Nazis

Child luring suspect on loose

Child luring suspect on loose
Summerland R-C-M-P say a 10-year-old girl reported on Sept. 20 that a Caucasian male about 40 years of age approached the girl in his red truck while she was walking along Kelly Avenue on her way to Giants Head Elementary. Police say the man asked the girl if she wanted a ride to school, prompting the girl to run away in the opposite direction.  

Child luring suspect on loose

Fatal shooting in Richmond

Fatal shooting in Richmond
Police say one person is dead after a shooting in Richmond over the weekend. Richmond R-C-M-P say officers were called to the area of Cooney and Anderson roads on Sunday just before 5 a-m to investigate reports of shots being fired.

Fatal shooting in Richmond

Environment Canada warns B.C. coast to prepare for heavy winds, some rain

Environment Canada warns B.C. coast to prepare for heavy winds, some rain
Rain and a wind storm are expected for much of British Columbia's coast, bringing gusts as strong as 110 kilometres per hour. Environment Canada warnings cover both northern and eastern Vancouver Island, as well as Victoria, portions of the Sunshine Coast and Haida Gwaii.

Environment Canada warns B.C. coast to prepare for heavy winds, some rain