Three Britons plead guilty over death of restaurant owner in Canada

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Sunday, 7 June 2026 04:26

Three British men have pleaded guilty after a Canadian restaurant owner died following a row over an unpaid bill.

Robert Evans Jr, 25, admitted manslaughter, while his father Robert Busby Evans, 47, and his uncle Barry Evans, 54, admitted being accessories for helping him flee.

Sharif Rahman, 44, died in August 2023, a week after an altercation outside his Indian restaurant in Owen Sound, Ontario.

A court heard the trio had tried to leave without paying a $145 (£78) bill and Evans Jr threw the punch that ultimately killed Mr Rahman, who had a wife and young daughter.

Barry Evans is said to have told his nephew to "run, run" and driven him away from the scene. His father, meanwhile, allegedly booked him a ticket back to the UK.

The three men - who are believed to be from Manchester - were extradited to Canada from Scotland late last year and pleaded guilty on Friday.

Under a plea deal, the older men were sentenced to time already served and will be deported, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported.

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The broadcaster said neither man could read or write so their statements expressing regret were read in court by their lawyers.

Evans Jr will be sentenced for manslaughter on 10 July and CBC said he had told the court he's "sickened" by his actions and prays nightly for Mr Rahman's family.

The judge must now consider a defence argument that he should only spend another eight months in custody.

Sky News