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
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Pope apologizes after using 'homophobic terms'
Pope Francis apologized Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
Spy watchdog's foreign interference review finds 'unacceptable gaps' in accountability
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 'unacceptable gaps in accountability,' the national spy watchdog has found.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Man convicted in attack on Pelosi's husband back in court after judge's error
A man who assaulted U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband in 2022 will have another day in court on Tuesday after the federal judge overseeing the case failed to allow him to speak during his sentencing hearing earlier this month.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.