By Toronto Man Acquitted in Child Choking Case
A Toronto man who argued he was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis when he choked a seven-year-old girl three years ago has been acquitted of assault charges. Ahmed Baig pleaded not guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice to assault causing bodily harm and assault by choking for the Aug.
The charges stemmed from an incident in which Baig left his home wearing only a towel after vaping cannabis. His towel eventually fell off, and Baig started chasing a family he encountered in their driveway.
Justice Mara Greene found him not guilty of both charges in a recent decision. The judge concluded that Baig’s attack was due to “nonmental disorder automatism.”
What Happened During the Attack
“He ran into the driveway and picked up a seven-year-old girl. He threw her to the ground, punched her and strangled her. He then abruptly left the driveway, and a short time later was arrested by police.
At the time of arrest, he wore only a T-shirt,” Justice Mara Greene wrote in a recent decision.
The attack occurred on Aug. Baig had left his home wearing only a towel after vaping cannabis, according to the facts of the case.
A psychiatrist testified that the accused “was either suffering from cannabis induced psychosis, sleepwalking or a combination of the two.”
The Verdict
Baig argued that he should be acquitted because he was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis at the time of the attack. His position was supported by the testimony of a psychiatrist, who told the court that the accused “was either suffering from cannabis induced psychosis, sleepwalking or a combination of the two.”
Justice Mara Greene accepted the defense position. In a recent decision, she concluded that Baig’s attack was due to “nonmental disorder automatism.”
She found him not guilty of both charges: assault causing bodily harm and assault by choking.
The acquittal ends the criminal case against Baig, who had been charged in connection with the Aug. 2, 2023, attack on the seven-year-old girl.
