Man charged with child abduction in northern Ont. elects for trial by judge
A Brampton man in his 30s charged with abducting a northern Ontario boy last summer has elected to be tried by a judge without a jury.
Manoj Govindbalunikam, 36, was arrested in Sault Ste. Marie on Aug. 16 following an incident in Thessalon the previous evening.
A 'stock photo' of a yellow 2011 model Chevrolet Camaro provided by OPP as a reference for the make and model of the vehicle involved in a suspicious incident with a child on Aug. 15/23. (Supplied)
A nine-year-old boy was fishing by himself at the river around 7:45 p.m. when Govindbalunikam reportedly pulled up in a yellow Camaro and offered him a toy and ice cream.
When a neighbour saw the boy get into the stranger's car and was driven away, they alerted the family and a search ensued.
The boy was found a short while later eating ice cream inside the man's car in another area of town, police said.
Govindbalunikam claimed to be a real estate agent looking for property in the area.
A man with a similar name, Manoj Nikam, was listed online as a salesperson under a Mississauga brokerage following the arrest, but inquiries made to the company were not responded to.
CTV News video journalist Cory Nordstrom attended a court hearing where the accused appeared following the charge and confirmed the suspect appears to be the same man.
Undated photo of Manoj Nikam, a real estate salesperson in southern Ontario. (Realtor.ca)
"While we can’t confirm this is the same individual, we have a record of someone with a similar name who was registered as real estate salesperson in Ontario until Aug. 17," the Real Estate Council of Ontario told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in an email.
"While we can’t speak to this specific case, we can tell you that the process of registering as a real estate agent in Ontario requires completing a rigorous education curriculum, and the successful completion of exams. All agents are further required to demonstrate fitness for registration by meeting certain prescribed requirements. Generally speaking, a criminal conviction would be a factor of consideration for any approval process."
He is still currently listed in the online real estate database, but under a different brokerage. CTV News has reached out for comment and is awaiting a reply.
The accused has been out on bail since a week after the incident.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
He is not allowed in to be in Thessalon, around or communicate with anyone under 16 years old, attend places where young people are present or have a weapon.
No dates have been set yet for trial, but the matter will return for a hearing May 29 in Sault Ste. Marie Superior Court.
The allegation has not been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
4 homes lost due to wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C.
A wildfire burning near Fort Nelson, B.C., completely destroyed four homes, according to an update from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'