Three men plead guilty in death of Owen Sound restaurant owner Sharif Rahman

Three men from Scotland pleaded guilty to the 2023 death Sharif Rahman outside his restaurant in Owen Sound, Ontario.

Robert Evans Jr., his father Robert Sr., and uncle Barry Evans have pleaded guilty for their roles in the killing of Sharif Rahman, the Owen Sound, Ont., restaurant owner who died trying to stop Evans from skipping out on a bill in August 2023.

Evans Jr., also known as Michael Jones, was 23 at the time.

He admitted to punching Rahman outside his restaurant, The Curry House, after Rahman confronted Evans and his group, who were attempting to dine and dash.

The single punch knocked Rahman to the ground, where his head struck the sidewalk. He died in hospital days later from a fractured skull and brain bleed. Rahman is survived by his wife and young daughter.

As part of an agreed statement of facts read by the Crown, Evans Jr. was helped by his uncle, Barry Evans, to flee the scene.

Evans Sr., who also goes by the alias Justin Jones, had a plane ticket purchased for his son to fly back to the UK hours later.

After helping his nephew escape, Barry Evans admitted to returning to their motel in town to erase any records that they were renting a room in the area.

The plea deal, which included a joint submission from the Crown and defence, resulted in Robert Sr. and Barry Evans receiving time served, prompting their return to the UK.

Robert Evans Jr. will have to wait until July to learn his fate, but he is expected to be sentenced to 42 months in prison, less time served in pre-sentence custody, leaving him with about eight more months to serve before he is deported.

If the judge agrees with the joint submissions for Evans Sr. and Barry Evans, who are both on an immigration hold, they will likely be deported back to the UK in the coming days.

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