Dangerous offender hearing continues for Ont. man convicted of violent 2022 sexual assault of senior

Michael Zaakir in court for a dangerous offender hearing.

Warning: This article contains details that may be disturbing and triggering to readers.

The dangerous offender hearing for a Wasaga Beach, Ont. man with a lengthy and disturbing criminal record continued in a Barrie courtroom Thursday.

Michael Zaakir, 34, sat in the prisoner’s box where the Crown called several witnesses to testify in the continuation of the hearing, which began in late January.

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Two witnesses told the court of rehabilitation programs along with information about correctional facilities and levels of supervision available to Zaakir and other inmates who may pose an undue, high risk to society.

Zaakir pleaded guilty two years ago to aggravated assault; admitting he stabbed and sexually assaulted an elderly woman inside her Clearview township home July 31, 2022. The court heard the woman was left for dead and taken to hospital in serious condition. Zaakir had initially been charged with attempted murder.

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The court heard Zaakir stole the woman’s pickup truck and fled the scene. He was arrested days later in Bracebridge.

The Crown wants Zaakir to be handed an indeterminate sentence followed by the maximum 10-year supervision order, noting his previous convictions for violent crimes, including sexual assault and sexual interference. The Crown arguing Zaakir is a serious risk to harm the public with future acts of violence.

He has been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome and the court heard has struggled with his mental health and addiction issues.

The Crown told the court Zaakir has “repeatedly shown he cannot control his sexual impulses.”

Zaakir is represented by defence lawyer Jeffrey Fisher, who told the court Zaakir should not be deemed a dangerous offender and instead receive a lengthy sentence in prison.

The hearing is scheduled to continue in mid-April when the court is expected to next hear evidence from a doctor and two more witnesses.