Toronto judge sentences 2 men in ‘horrific’ gang sex assault of unconscious, unidentified woman

The Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto, located at 10 Armoury Street, can be seen above. (Abby O'Brien/CTV News Toronto)

Warning: This story contains graphic details of sexual assault

Two Toronto men have been sentenced to nine years in prison for their role in the “cruel and utterly depraved” gang sexual assault of an unconscious woman who has yet to be identified, an Ontario court judge ruled this week.

The sexual assault, which took place in the stairwell of a downtown public housing complex, occurred on Aug. 22, 2024, and was captured on camera. The victim, known only as “Jane Doe,” was never identified and did not come forward to police, Ontario Court Justice Brock Jones said, calling the case an “unusual trial.”

“What happened to Jane Doe is profoundly shocking and would be considered horrific by any reasonable person,” Jones wrote in his decision released Wednesday.

“An innocent, unconscious woman was taken into a stairwell and sexually assaulted by two men. They took turns exploiting her for their own selfish needs. Their treatment of her was cruel and utterly depraved.”

Video of the sexual assault, which lasted for more than 1.5 hours, was captured on a security camera from the Sherbourne Street stairwell where the attack took place, the judge said. The video contains no audio.

‘Entirely controlled by her abusers’

According to the judge, the video begins with Gary Beckford opening the door to the stairwell while Jason Bartley carries Jane Doe over his shoulder. The woman, the judge said, appears to be unconscious.

Jane Doe looks to be in her 20s or 30s and does not respond to anything happening around her, the judge notes.

“She cannot stand on her own. Her limp, seemingly lifeless body is entirely controlled by her abusers,” he wrote.

Beckford left 20 minutes into the video after digitally penetrating her, while Bartley continued the assault, repeatedly forcing his penis into her mouth as she lay unconscious on the ground.

The assault continued, Jones said, until about 52 minutes into the video, when Jane Doe suddenly woke up and pushed him away from her. The woman appeared to be in pain, the judge added.

After moving to a nearby staircase to take more drugs, the woman once again lost consciousness and remained that way for another half an hour.

Bartley, according to the judge, could be seen periodically masturbating while lying on the floor beside her.

About an hour and a half into the video, Jane Doe woke up again, stood up, and left the stairwell, Jones said.

‘Nothing short of dehumanizing’

“Every sexual assault deprives a victim of her dignity, self-worth, and bodily integrity. However, the mistreatment Jane Doe endured in this case was particularly contemptible,” Jones wrote.

He said both the accused abused her as they smoked drugs and kept her “confined to a dirty stairwell.”

“Her body was used as an inanimate object. The prolonged sexual assault that occurred was nothing short of dehumanizing,” he wrote.

“They played with her head, hair, face, and body as they saw fit. They used considerable force against her, at times for their own amusement. Different parts of her body were groped or penetrated for nearly an hour.”

The victim, he said, did not appear to have a pre-existing relationship with either of the men and it is unclear how she ended up at the housing complex that day.

The judge went on to note that both men have “lengthy prior records” and are “not deterred by moderate jail sentences.”

“I received no evidence of any meaningful socially redeeming qualities whatsoever for either offender,” he wrote.

“Their history of recidivism and violating court orders, including probation orders, demonstrates they are not committed to their rehabilitation.”

Beckford has a previous conviction for aggravated sexual assault, the judge said.

Jones noted very few mitigating factors in sentencing, adding that the gang sexual assault is just the latest at “most glaring example of their incorrigible characters.”

“There isn’t a single moment in the entire video in which Jane Doe’s humanity is respected,” the judge said.

Bartley, 59, did not address the court when offered the chance, saying only, through his lawyer, that he was apologetic and ashamed of what he had done. Beckford, 56, did speak and issued an apology for his actions.

“I did not hear him say anything that would demonstrate he understands the depth of his wrongdoing or the extent of the impact his actions likely had on Jane Doe. I did not find the apology meaningful,” Jones wrote in the decision.

The judge added that he put “very little weight” into the comments provided by both men.

“Jane Doe was never identified. I do not know whether she is aware of these proceedings or my trial judgment…I cannot determine how this crime has specifically impacted her. But some truths are simply universal,” the judge wrote.

“She is a human being and a valued member of our society, equally deserving of compassion, dignity, and respect, as anyone else. Her friends know her and care about her. Her family, wherever they are and whoever they are, love her. They have all been indirectly harmed by the offenders’ conduct as well.”

With credit for time already served, both men have about seven-and-a-half years left on their sentences.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

• Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
• The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres' website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling. 
• The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
• Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: [phone] or [phone] (24/7)
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: [phone] (24/7)
• Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone] (24/7)
• Trans Lifeline: [phone]
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: [phone]
• Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.