Dad of missing Toronto teen sentenced to 6 years for assaults

The Canadian Press
Thu Dec 8 20110


Police probe report missing daughter sighted earlier this week

TORONTO The father of missing Toronto teen Mariam Makhniashvili has been sentenced to six years for aggravated assault.

Vakhtang Makhniashvili, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to three counts of aggravated assault, will serve four years and 11 months after time served is taken into account.

The charges followed two separate stabbing incidents last year, one involving a neighbour and the other a couple who had posted his bail.

Mariam Makhniashvili vanished in September 2009 when she was 17, and the only clue ever found was her backpack.

Defence lawyer Calvin Barry says the court took into account that Vakhtang Makhniashvili was suffering from mental health issues following his daughter’s disappearance.

“He had a delusional disorder that explained away at least some of what happened,” Barry said outside court.

“Not enough for an acquittal or not guilty, but enough for some compassion on a rehabilitative ground, you know, ‘Forgive me God for I know not what I do’ type of scenario.”

Barry added that his client was prepared for the sentence.

“He knew that he had to pay the piper — that there had to be a sentence meted out.”

Meanwhile, a police spokeswoman says investigators are looking into a reported sighting of Mariam earlier this week in Toronto.

Const. Wendy Drummond says police are going through surveillance video but can’t confirm it was the missing teen.

Drummond says police are constantly getting tips in the case and encourage the public to report any possible sightings of Mariam.

The Canadian Press

http://www.thespec.com/news/ontario/article/636466--dad-of-missing-toronto-teen-sentenced-to-6-years-for-assaults