NORTH BAY, ONTARIO (Diya TV) — A 21-year-old international student from Brampton, Sahibjot Singh, pleaded guilty Friday to a series of charges stemming from a chaotic, drug-fueled attempt to evade a police stop—an incident that left a North Bay officer injured and shocked the local community.

Originally charged with attempted murder, Singh’s plea deal comes after the most serious charge was withdrawn. He now faces sentencing for six other criminal offences, including assaulting police, impaired driving, fleeing police, and violating a release order.

A Drug Spiral and a Shattered Future

Singh, who came to Canada from India on a student visa to attend Canadore College, was already out on bail for 31 criminal charges when the incident occurred. On May 31, 2024, just weeks after his release, he was behind the wheel of a stolen Toyota RAV4 in downtown North Bay when police flagged the vehicle using an automated license plate reader.

What followed was a terrifying series of events:

  • Singh backed into Acting Sgt. Justin Brear, pinning him between two vehicles.

  • When Brear tried to re-engage, Singh drove toward him again, forcing the officer to roll away to avoid being run over.

  • Singh fled the scene, ramming police cruisers, forcing civilian cars into ditches, and running a red light at 100 km/h.

  • After his arrest, Singh gave a false name, was found with heroin, and had meth, amphetamines, and morphine in his system.

In court, Singh admitted he was using heroin and meth every 30–40 minutes, a cycle of addiction he says “ruined his life.”

Victim Suffers PTSD, Singh Faces Deportation

Sgt. Brear survived the assault but told the court in a victim impact statement that he now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even though his physical wounds have healed.

Singh’s student visa is now under review, and he is the subject of an active immigration warrant. His defense team said he does not plan to challenge the pending deportation order.

His family in Peel Region and India, along with members of the Sikh temple he attended, submitted letters to the court asking for leniency, explaining that they sold everything to help him study in Canada and that he was “led astray.”

Sentencing Scheduled for October 24

The Crown is asking for a five-year sentence, while the defense is pushing for enhanced credit for the 15 months already served, which could lead to a sentence of time served.

Justice Erin Lainevool is expected to deliver her ruling on October 24.

This case highlights the tragic intersection of addiction, immigration, and public safety — a once-promising student now facing deportation and a broken family reeling from a dream turned nightmare.