Ontario man who spread HIV jailed, awaits sentence
Last Updated: Friday, May 11, 2007 | 3:28 PM ET
CBC News
A Windsor, Ont., man who pleaded guilty to 15 counts of aggravated sexual assault last month for engaging in unprotected sex without informing his partners of his HIV status was taken into custody on Friday.
Carl Leone, 31, had been free on bail since late 2004, but the Crown had asked that it be revoked, describing him as a flight risk and a continued danger to the community.
In his latest court appearance, the businessman was jailed and ordered to undergo a 60-day psychiatric assessment to determine whether he should be declared a dangerous offender.
Leone was given a few minutes to say goodbye to members of his family. He hugged them, one by one, while some of them cried. He was then handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom.
He will return to court July 24 where a date for sentencing is expected to be set.
Aggravated sexual assault charges carry with them the possibility of a life sentence.
Continue Article
Leone was initially placed under house arrest so he could get his financial affairs in order and keep medical appointments.
Defence lawyer Andrew Bradie said he expected his client would be taken into custody. He said he doesn't think Leone will have an easy time in jail.
"It doesn’t help if you’re in custody on sexual offences, and you're not a criminal and you're small," Bradie said. "It can't be a very pleasant situation."
Det. Bill Stibbard, one of the officers who worked on the case, told CBC News he's glad Leone is in custody.
Risk to the community
"He’s always been a risk to the community and we were terribly concerned," Stibbard said. "We’ve dealt with these 20 girls for the last three years and it's just horrific what they've been through, and we didn't want to see anybody else out there go through the same thing."
Several of the women involved have tested positive for HIV. Three believe Leone gave them knockout pills before having sex.
Leone pleaded guilty on April 27 to the 15 counts of aggravated assault for knowingly spreading the virus that causes AIDS. He was facing 20 counts before a plea arrangement was made.
Leone was told in 1997 by Windsor Essex County Health Unit workers that he was HIV positive, seven years before his arrest on June 6, 2004.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
