Manoj Govindbalunikam who pleaded guilty to abducting a 9-year-old boy in Canada appeals for lighter sentence so that he’s not deported. (Photo: SooToday)
Manoj Govindbalunikam, a Brampton man, probably of Indian origin, appealed to the court for a lighter sentence so that he’s not deported in connection with a 2023 abduction case in which he pleaded guilty, Orillia Matters reported. The abduction, referred to as ‘bizarre’ by the police, took place on August 15, when a 9-year-old boy from a small town near Sault Ste. Marie was fishing near a river. Manoj Govindbalunikam, driving a yellow 2011 Chevrolet Camaro, approached the boy, offered a toy to lure him into the car and drove away. An eyewitness who knew the child immediately informed the parents who started looking for the vehicle and the boy. Both the vehicle and the child were located and the cops were called. Manoj told the police that he was a real estate agent looking for a property in the area, and that he took the boy out for ice cream. Govindbalunikam did not have any prior criminal case in his name. He pleaded guilty to the single count of abduction of a person under the age of 14 in May this year. Assistant Crown attorney Adrianna Mucciarelli sought a two-year jail sentence for Manoj, followed by 18 months of probation. The maximum sentence for the charge of abduction of a person under the age of 14 is 10 years in prison.Defence attorney Jessica Belisle said her client should not get any jail sentence longer than six months minus a day as any longer sentence would trigger an automatic deportation for the permanent resident who has been in Canada since 2013. With a sentence of six months minus a day, Govindbalunikam would be given the chance to appeal any possible deportation. “I suggest we should take that into consideration,” said Belisle, adding that though abduction is a serious offence, the victim was not physically harmed and was only taken for a short term.
Victim says his innocence and trust have been lost
The victim, now a 12-year-old, said he panics when he sees a bright yellow car similar to the one Govindbalunikam was driving. The victim said in his statement that he has learned some adults and kids get a kick out of breaking someone’s spirit. He said his sleeping has been affected and he has nightmares, panic, anxiety and exhibits a ‘fight or flight’ response.
