Former Liberal MP Marwan Tabbara pleaded guilty to two assault charges and one of being unlawfully in a dwelling home during a virtual court hearing in Guelph Thursday.
Tabbbara was arrested on April 10 last year and was charged with two counts of assault, one of breaking and entering to commit an indictable offence and one count of criminal harassment. The former Kitchener South-Hespeler MP was elected as a Liberal in 2015 and 2019 but left the caucus to sit as an Independent in June after the charges became public.
On Thursday, Justice Michael Wendl agreed to a joint submission where the crown and Tabbara’s lawyer, Scott Hutchison, agreed on the sentence being given.
Wendl said Tabbara accepting responsibility is significant to the court because he saved court time and he saved the trial.
“He's taken extensive steps towards rehabilitation. And in my view, someone who's rehabilitated is not likely to re-offend again,” said Wendl.
On Thursday, Wendle imposed a conditional discharge with a period of probation for three years on the conditions that Tabbara keep peace and be on good behaviour before the court when required, and notify the court or probation office in advance of any change of name or address.
One month after probation, Tabbara is to complete 120 hours of community service at a rate of no less that 40 hours a year and he is to have no contact with the man who he pleaded guilty to assaulting.
He is also required to stay 250 meters away from his former girlfriend unless she files her written revocable consent with the probation office in advance.
“I've always worked hard all my life and wanted to serve my community because it gave me so much. Immigrating here as a first generation, I know that in 2020 there was a pandemic and a lot of it had a lot of stressors on people and my actions in 2020 were denounceable, completely out of character. Thank you for letting me share my mistake,” said Tabbara in court before his sentence was announced.
