A Carleton student was convicted of assault March 8, after an incident in Nov 2011 where he ran up to a woman while intoxicated to put her in a “bear hug,” according to the Ottawa Citizen.
Oluwatimilehin Akindele, 19, was charged with one count of assault and one count of sexual assault, but only convicted of the assault charge. The Crown dropped the latter, according to Akindele’s defence lawyer, Paolo Giancaterino.
Giancaterino said legally assault is “the intentional application of force without a person’s consent.”
Akindele’s actions “had the appearance of predatory behaviour,” Ontario Court Justice Diane Lahaie said after he followed a woman across Sunnyside Avenue and wrapped his arms around her at 1 a.m. on Nov. 6, 2011, the Citizen reported.
The woman testified at the hearing, and said she tried to avoid Akindele by walking in a zigzag pattern and using her cellphone. When he grabbed her, she said she screamed and Akindele let go after a moment.
Lahaie rejected Akindele’s prior explanation to police that he was drunk and stumbled into the woman, according to the Citizen.
Giancaterino said he would consult with Akindele before deciding whether to appeal the decision.
A sentencing hearing is set for April 8.
