Canada orders deportation of Indian grandfather for harassing schoolgirls
What's the story
Jagjit Singh, a 51-year-old Indian national visiting Canada on a six-month visitor visa, has been convicted of criminally harassing two teenage girls outside their school. The incident took place at a high school in Sarnia, Ontario. Singh had arrived in Canada in July to meet his newborn grandchild. However, he soon began frequenting the smoking area outside the local high school, where he allegedly harassed young Canadian girls, local police said.
Arrest details
Singh's inappropriate behavior and arrest
Between September 8 and September 11, Singh repeatedly approached girls at the smoking area, tried to take photos with them, and talked about drugs and alcohol. One complainant told police she initially refused a photo but later agreed, hoping Singh would leave. Instead, he allegedly "placed himself in her personal space" and attempted to put an arm around her. The girl pushed him away as she felt uncomfortable.
Legal proceedings
Singh's charges and court proceedings
Singh, who does not speak English, continued to follow female students as they left school property. He was arrested on September 16 and charged with sexual interference and sexual assault. Although he was granted bail soon after, a new complaint led to his rearrest. An interpreter's unavailability kept him in custody for another night before he was released again.
Plea and sentence
Singh pleads guilty to criminal harassment
On September 19, Singh pleaded not guilty to sexual interference but admitted guilt to the lesser charge of criminal harassment. Justice Krista Lynn Leszczynski accepted a time-served sentence and said, "You had no business attending at the property of that high school." She added that such behavior "will not be tolerated." The court also heard victim-impact statements detailing emotional fallout from the incidents.
Deportation details
Singh's deportation and probation order
Singh was sentenced to a short jail term, which included nine days of pre-plea custody, and given a three-year probation order. The order prohibits him from contacting victims or being near their home, workplace, or school; being around anyone under 16 except his newborn grandchild; and coming within 100 meters of any school, park, pool, playground, or community center. Canada Border Services Agency officers took custody of Singh immediately after the hearing for expedited deportation proceedings.