Three U.K. men charged in Owen Sound restaurant owner’s death: Police

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OWEN SOUND – Three men from the United Kingdom are charged in the 2023 death of an Owen Sound restaurant owner who was assaulted outside his business in a dispute over an unpaid bill.

The charges were announced at a news conference Wednesday afternoon in Owen Sound by Owen Sound police and the Ontario Provincial Police.

Robert Evans, 24, of the United Kingdom is charged with manslaughter, OPP said. Robert Busby Evans, 47, of the U.K. is charged with being an accessory after the fact to commit an indictable offence. They were charged July 29 this year, OPP Det.-Insp. Jane Conway said at the news briefing.

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Barry Evans, 54, of the U.K. was arrested Oct. 29 and charged with being an accessory after the fact to commit an indictable offence, police said. Conway wouldn’t say what the relationship is between the accused, saying police don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the extradition process.

“The individuals are currently in the U.K. and are before the courts in relation to extradition. There are no timelines available for the extradition of the accused individuals,” police said. All three remain in custody, Conway said.

When police announced in August they had made arrests in the death of Sharif Rahman, there was relief but many unanswered questions in the community.

Police provided some of those answers Wednesday. 

Rahman was “assaulted and tragically succumbed to his injuries. His death has affected not only his loved ones but the entire community,” Conway said.

Rahman died a week after he was assaulted, on Aug. 24, 2023, and “soon after” police learned suspects in the assault had left the country, Conway said. 

Conway said there were more than 100 tips, which were “invaluable,” she said. She said the investigation “has been complex and involved a co-ordinated effort involving many agencies, partners and units.”

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“Due to the nature of the investigation and the international element, the information was sealed in an effort to support the apprehension of the accused,” police said. “On August 15, 2024, the OPP and (Owen Sound police) released limited information that arrests have been made. As the information was sealed and one suspect was outstanding, further information could not be released.”

Owen Sound Police Chief Craig Ambrose said at the news briefing that the city was shocked that a “cherished member” of the community had been assaulted. “Sharifur was known by many for his generosity and community involvement” and for his restaurant, Ambrose said.

He acknowledged community frustration but details were withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation, he said.

Ambrose said investigators should be recognized for their “dedication and devotion to this investigation.” He noted Rahman’s homicide was the third in the city over about six weeks, which overwhelmed city resources and so the OPP was called on to help.

Rahman’s wife, Shayela Nasrin, continues to run The Curry House and has spoken at events honouring her husband, sometimes accompanied by their young daughter.

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In a statement which Owen Sound police Det.-Const. Chevonne Martin read on her behalf, she thanked all who worked together until there were arrests, and thanked the community for its support

“Although it is a complicated case, I have faith in the rule of law. I have been waiting patiently since Aug. 17, 2023, and I believe justice will be served for my husband.” Nasrin said she remains uncomfortable talking about the case and did not attend the briefing.

Rahman, 44, was assaulted and suffered serious injuries outside his business, The Curry House, on Aug. 17, 2023. He would never regain consciousness and died in a London hospital a week later, on Aug. 24.

A few days after the assault, police announced they were looking for three suspects who ate at the restaurant. There was a dispute over an unpaid bill, which left Rahman unconscious on the street. Police released grainy images of two men leaving the area and a vehicle believed to be involved.

In the days and weeks that followed Rahman’s admission to hospital and death, the community held vigils, walks and other gatherings in his memory and to support his family. On the day of Rahman’s funeral, people lined the streets along the procession route from the Owen Sound mosque to Greenwood Cemetery, some waving small handmade Bangladeshi flags.

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A GoFundMe for the family raised $250,000 from more than 3,000 individual donations. The story has captured national media attention.

Rahman was posthumously awarded the 2023 YMCA Peace Medallion for his exceptional contributions to peace building in the community and beyond, and the Community Foundation Grey Bruce announced an anonymous donor had initiated the Sharifur Rahman Memorial Scholarship Fund, using his full given name.

The city began installing surveillance cameras downtown in September, in response to public calls for more safety measures in the wake of Rahman’s death. Also this fall, an oak tree was planted outside the Y in Rahman’s memory, at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre.

The investigation continues, police said Wednesday, by the Owen Sound police under the direction of the OPP criminal investigation branch, with the assistance of other OPP units and the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

Police services in West Grey and Hanover, the RCMP, INTERPOL Ottawa Fugitive Apprehension Support Team (FAST) and UK law enforcement members from the National Extradition Unit of the National Crime Agency and Police Scotland also assisted in the investigation, police said.

Files from Rob Gowan and Greg Cowan

sdunn@postmedia.com

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