The "cultural misunderstanding" defence employed again

This is further to "You don't understand! It's part of our culture!", WWW 15/4/26. In that case an Afghan "refugee" was found abusing a sheep in a sexual way -- don't make me spell this out for you -- and convicted of bestiality, in spite of his plea that he was just acting within the norms of his culture.

Closer to  home, Ontario meeja have (for a change) named and shamed a 37-year-old man from... wait for it... Brampton ON, who was found guilty of abducting a child almost three years ago in Thessalon, a town in northern Ontario. 

A boy was fishing by himself at a river when pedophile approached, saying he was a real estate agent looking for property in the area. He lured the boy into his car using promises of ice cream and a fidget spinner -- "Hey kid, wanna learn how to spin your fidget?" -- which the Crown argued was grooming. The child was not physically harmed in the case and was rescued by his father, who contacted police

Manoj Govindbalunikam (for it was he) will spend 18 month (or less) in a provincial prison, after being convicted at the Sault Ste Marie courthouse on April 21st. In passing sentence Judge Michael Varpio said he wanted to send a clear message of "denunciation and deterrence" to both the perpetrator and society as a whole.

The defence for the former Brampton Realtor had argued previously that the situation was a "cultural misunderstanding", adding that an extended sentence could negatively impact Govindbalunikam’s ability to stay in Canada.

Judge Varpio rejected both arguments, saying that the accused has been in Canada for 12 years and is educated enough to know Canadian cultural norms. The judge said that Mr Govindbalunikam's risk of deportation was not a factor in his decision. He took judicial notice of the fact that less than 3% of deportation orders are ever carried out.

However, the judge said he was not presented with any evidence suggesting there was a sexual intent as part of the abduction. In addition to the 18-month prison sentence, the convicted pedophile will be on probation for three years following his release. 

He also has a non-contact order with the victim, a DNA order, a weapons prohibition and must undertake counselling. Whether the immigratin police will be waiting at the prison gates when Mr Govindbalunikam is released remains to be seen. Don't bother staying tuned.