The 21-year-old man accused of violently assaulting a 10-year-old girl last week in the Pointe-aux-Trembles area was deemed fit to stand trial on Wednesday. However, his criminal responsibility will have to be assessed at the Philippe-Pinel Institute of Forensic Psychiatry for 30 days.
Posted at 12:28 p.m.
“Mr. [Tanvir] Singh is fit to stand trial, but there are issues with his mental health that need to be investigated,” a judge said on Wednesday after hearing the accused, who was appearing virtually from his cell in the Montreal detention center.
Tanvir Singh had already undergone a first evaluation last week in connection with possible mental health problems by a criminologist. This assessment had shown that it was “necessary”, according to the Crown prosecutor, Ms.and Annabelle Sheppard, to conduct a second to determine if he is fit to stand trial. As it is now determined that this is indeed the case, the man will be sent for a maximum of 30 days to the Philippe-Pinel Institute, where his criminal responsibility will be assessed.
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
Mand Annabelle Sheppard, Crown Attorney
The judge ordered that the assessment of his criminal responsibility be done in English, so that the accused could understand the whole process. The accused, who faces up to 14 years in prison, will also have to be seen by a nurse until his transfer to the Philippe-Pinel Institute.
Charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm and possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, the 21-year-old man will therefore return to court on April 25, for following procedures.
The assault involved in this case has caused shock waves in recent days. It occurred on Boulevard du Tricentenaire, near Rue Notre-Dame, around 11:30 a.m. on March 14. Two young girls “were traveling on a sidewalk when they were approached by a 21-year-old man who suddenly attacked a young girl by beating her”, said the spokesperson for the Montreal police at the time. , Raphaël Bergeron, stating that mental health problems could be involved.
Passers-by then intervened to put an end to the attack. Almost at the same time, patrol officers passing by intervened and arrested the man. The victim – who cannot be identified due to a publication ban – was transported to hospital and suffered from nervous shock and was seriously injured, having received several blows to the head.
“We want to make sure that the criminal, the monster, will not come out, that he will not be released on conditions. It is a public danger, ”had hammered the victim’s aunt, in a press scrum last Wednesday, at the Montreal courthouse. “It’s going to take time,” she also slipped, speaking of the physical and psychological healing of her niece.