Quoted from the article, written by Taylor Campbell of the Windsor Star.
“The court heard that the American travelled from the U.S. to see a Belle River woman he’d been communicating with online. On Dec. 23, 2023, the pair fought over the contents of the woman’s cellphone, and Coulston-Hawkins choked her with his hands. Hours later, he followed her to downtown Windsor and struck her with a vehicle, resulting in “traumatic injuries” to the victim.”
“The footage shows the woman running from a car in a lot on Ferry Street. The car then accelerates and veers towards her, hitting her and sending her limp body flying through the air and onto the ground.”
"The woman, who was 21 at the time of the incident, woke up in a Windsor hospital with injuries that included broken teeth. She said she’s undergone two surgeries so far, including a bone graft, and has one more surgery to go.
She told the court she’s been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, post-traumatic cognitive impairment, and post-traumatic migraines, and has been unable to work or attend school as a result."
The defence is seeking a prison sentence of two to three years.
“‘He acknowledged that he made a very brief, momentary bad decision,’ defence lawyer Evan Weber told the Star outside court."
“‘The fact is, he wants to move on with his life as well. But of course, he wants to take responsibility for his really bad judgment back on that day.’”
Attempting to murder someone in a foreign country? Good way to ruin your life. Absolutely despicable that this woman is now going to be suffering with these injuries for possibly the rest of her life. I wish her all the best moving on with her life and for the full brunt of the law to fall on him. Don’t go into other peoples countries and run over their citizens.
Ah yes, I too make brief lacks of judgement that can be misconstrued as premeditated, attempted murder. Totally understandable.
I’m sure his victim wants to move on with her life as well, but the impact on her sure isn’t “very brief” or “momentary.”
He is looking at 4-8 years in prison along with other restrictions such as weapons ban and driving license revoked for 3 years. His defense is trying to plea for 3 years instead.
I’m not well versed in law, but 4-8 years honestly feels low. I hope the victim can get some actual compensation for the life long trauma she will be facing. Her job prospects and education aspirations seem to be severely hindered as a result of this.