Torture sentences reduced

One member of a Hamilton couple convicted of holding and torturing a developmentally delayed man and taking his money has had his sentence reduced.

The ringleader of a group, Stanley Brown, has had his sentenced reduced to seven years from 13. The couple were asking the Ontario Court of Appeal to reduce their sentences. The group held a 23-year old man captive for 17 days in 2009. Brown was convicted of aggravated assault and forcible confinement.

At sentencing, the judge imposed longer sentences, in part because the community was horrified by the crime. The developmentally delayed victim was found with facial fractures, a gaping head wound, and internal injuries. Brown’s accomplice, Dakota Thompson, has also had her sentence reduced from the initial 10 year sentence. That number will be released later this week.