Man caught on video in Vancouver incident described as stalking sentenced to 1 year of probation
A man who was charged with harassment in a caught-on-camera incident described by the woman involved as stalking has been sentenced, but not for his role in that incident.
Mohammed Majidpour received his sentence Friday, months after he was charged with several offences, including mischief, uttering threats, breaking and entering, and assault with a weapon, as well as harassment.
The harassment count was stayed, along with several other charges, as part of a joint submission by the Crown and Majidpour's lawyer.
Majidpour pleaded guilty to the other four charges listed above and was sentenced to one day in jail and one year of probation, according to the BC Prosecution Service.
He'll be given 180 days' credit for time served before sentencing.
The 34-year-old of no fixed address was not sentenced to time behind bars, in part because of his deteriorating health. The court heard that Majidpour is addicted to heroin, and needs proper treatment.
After appearing in court via video link, Majidpour is expected to be released from custody Friday. The conditions of his release include that he is prohibited from carrying any weapons, and from contacting the victim in the case and two other women who'd filed complaints against him.
Once released, Majidpour will be staying in a shelter until space is available at a treatment centre.
He was given the opportunity to address the court Friday, but declined.
His case rose to prominence because of a widely-shared video posted on social media by a woman who said she was being stalked by a man who can be seen walking behind her.
The woman said she didn't know the man who followed her for about 40 minutes. Her post garnered significant attention online, and police began a search for the man involved.
Jamie Coutts, who captured the video on her cellphone, told CTV News in an interview at the time that she'd noticed she was being followed, and stopped walking so he could pass, but that he just "stared" at her.
Coutts said she told him he was walking too close to her, but that nothing changed. She'd also tried walking around the block several times, as fast as she could, to test that she actually was being followed.
Eventually, she ran into a group of people at a skate park, and sat with them until the man left. She later reported the incident to police, once she felt safe.
Officers with the Vancouver Police Department said her story encouraged other victims of similar incidents to come forward, and their accounts were also investigated.
The VPD advises anyone who has a gut feeling they aren't safe to call 911. Coutts also recommends taking a video or photo of the person, if it's possible to do so safely.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Travis Prasad in court
Correction
This story has been updated to clarify the outcomes of the various charges against Majidpour.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.