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Livestream Stunt Leads to Conditional Discharge for B.C. Man

A British Columbia man who drove his vehicle into Burrard Inlet as part of a livestreaming stunt will not serve time in jail. Jawad Mazen Fawwaz drove into the waters off Rocky Point Park in Port Moody on March 4, exiting the vehicle just before it submerged.

Fawwaz later admitted to police that his brakes had failed, but investigations revealed that the act was intentional, influenced by an offer from a fellow livestreamer of US$10,000.

Incident Details and Legal Consequences

After the incident, the community faced significant repercussions. The emergency response necessitated the closure of the boat launch for 16 hours, and the City of Port Moody incurred a cleanup cost of approximately $3,000.

In September, Fawwaz pled guilty to a charge of mischief under $5,000. The prosecutor, Ira Tee, emphasized in court that Fawwaz’s actions were driven by a desire for notoriety and self-gain, reflecting a concerning lack of awareness for the potential consequences his actions had on those around him. “This was an incredibly reckless decision made for selfish reasons,” Tee stated.

Defendant’s Response

Fawwaz’s attorney, Evi Dos Santos, expressed that her client felt embarrassment and regret over his actions. “He’s not a bad person. He was misguided and influenced by others,” she explained to the court.

Fawwaz chose not to make a personal statement during the proceedings. However, Provincial Court Judge Anja Brown accepted a plea agreement from both the prosecution and defense, resulting in a conditional discharge paired with 12 months of probation.

Judicial Remarks

Judge Brown remarked on the incident’s implications for public resources, deeming it a “complete waste” due to Fawwaz’s “immature and stupid actions.” She noted that his early guilty plea and youth had played a significant role in the leniency of the sentence. As part of his probation, Fawwaz is required to maintain peace, regularly report to his probation officer, complete 30 hours of community service, and reimburse the City of Port Moody $2,970 for the cleanup efforts.

Source
globalnews.ca