Jail sentences handed down for assaults on TTC employees

Three people have received jail sentences for separate assaults on TTC employees.

On January 11, a male was involved in a verbal dispute with other passengers on a King streetcar. The streetcar Operator intervened, and was assaulted by the male and threatened with death.  The suspect fled, and was later arrested by members of Toronto Police Services. On January 16, Ryan Sheppard, 28, pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

On January 14, a woman boarded a King streetcar without paying a fare. When the Operator requested a fare, she spat in his face, and slapped him. Toronto Police arrested the woman a short time later. Asmait Gebre-Yohannes, 35, pleaded guilty to assault, and was sentenced to 44 days in jail and one year’s probation.

On January 8, two Transit Enforcement Officers were performing proof of payment duties on the Queen streetcar.  A male boarded via the rear doors.  The officers asked for proof of payment.  The male became unco-operative, then spat in both officers’ faces. On January 15, Allan Dorinie, 49, pleaded guilty to assault, and was sentenced to 68 days in jail and 18 months probation.  His probation order prohibits him from all TTC vehicles and property for the first six months of his probation.

On average, two TTC employees are assaulted every day, ranging from punching, slapping and spitting, to threats of physical harm or death. The TTC’s Court Advocates work with Crown Attorneys to secure the stiffest penalties possible for those convicted of assaulting TTC employees, and continue to seek limits on the use of public transit in Toronto for those convicted of these crimes.