Man accused in mall sexual assaults asks judge how charges may impact immigration status
The suspect in a series of sexual assaults at Chinook Centre mall is concerned what effect the allegations may have on his bid for permanent residency in Canada.
· But provincial court Judge Marian De Souza told Salah Eddine Laifa on Tuesday he should contact a lawyer and get advice from them on what consequences may flow from his charges.
· “Your honour, can I ask a question,” said Laifa, as he appeared before De Souza remotely from the Calgary Remand Centre.
· “I recently applied for the PR, permanent resident, is this gonna affect it?” Laifa said.
· “You will have to ask your lawyer about that, Mr. Laifa,” the judge replied.
· Laifa, 28, faces four charges of sexual assault in connection with incidents at the southwest Calgary shopping centre on May 15.
· At the time, he was on release on three other charges, two of harassment and a mischief to property charge.
· Crown prosecutor Melissa Kostiuk told court she is seeking to have Laifa detained on the new charges and have his bail revoked on the other matters.
· De Souza told Laifa it would be wise of him to contact Legal Aid and have a lawyer appointed before the issue of his release pending trial is addressed.
· Laifa said he was hoping to be released right away.
· “To be honest, if I just get another chance I can go back to work and pay my bills,” he said.
· “That’s not the person I am. I am a better person. I can prove that if you just give me a chance.”
· The judge said the best chance for that to happen is for the accused to get counsel.
· “These are serious charges. The Crown is objecting to your release. . . . You’ll be in the best position if you have representation for the next step in these proceedings.”
· The case returns to court on Monday.
The suspect in a series of sexual assaults at Chinook Centre mall is concerned what effect the allegations may have on his bid for permanent residency in Canada.
· But provincial court Judge Marian De Souza told Salah Eddine Laifa on Tuesday he should contact a lawyer and get advice from them on what consequences may flow from his charges.
· “Your honour, can I ask a question,” said Laifa, as he appeared before De Souza remotely from the Calgary Remand Centre.
· “I recently applied for the PR, permanent resident, is this gonna affect it?” Laifa said.
· “You will have to ask your lawyer about that, Mr. Laifa,” the judge replied.
· Laifa, 28, faces four charges of sexual assault in connection with incidents at the southwest Calgary shopping centre on May 15.
· At the time, he was on release on three other charges, two of harassment and a mischief to property charge.
· Crown prosecutor Melissa Kostiuk told court she is seeking to have Laifa detained on the new charges and have his bail revoked on the other matters.
· De Souza told Laifa it would be wise of him to contact Legal Aid and have a lawyer appointed before the issue of his release pending trial is addressed.
· Laifa said he was hoping to be released right away.
· “To be honest, if I just get another chance I can go back to work and pay my bills,” he said.
· “That’s not the person I am. I am a better person. I can prove that if you just give me a chance.”
· The judge said the best chance for that to happen is for the accused to get counsel.
· “These are serious charges. The Crown is objecting to your release. . . . You’ll be in the best position if you have representation for the next step in these proceedings.”
· The case returns to court on Monday.