Three Scottish men accused in the 2023 death of Owen Sound restaurant owner Sharif Rahman have appeared before an Ontario court for the first time after being extradited from the United Kingdom. The case, which has drawn national attention and deeply affected the local community, returned to the spotlight Friday morning as the accused addressed the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound.
The proceedings marked a significant milestone in a complex, international investigation that stretched across borders and spanned more than two years. For many in Owen Sound, it was a moment long anticipated—and emotionally charged.
Charges Laid in Fatal Restaurant Altercation
Manslaughter and Accessory Allegations Explained
The three accused are Robert Evans, 25; his father, Robert Busby Evans, 47; and his uncle, Barry Evans, 54. Evans Jr. faces a charge of manslaughter, while his father and uncle are each charged with being accessories after the fact.
Police allege that Evans Jr. delivered the punch that ultimately led to Rahman’s death. According to investigators, the confrontation occurred outside Rahman’s restaurant, The Curry House, after he challenged customers who were allegedly attempting to leave without paying their bill.
Rahman, 44, was taken to hospital in London, Ont., where he later died from his injuries.
First Court Appearance After Return to Canada
Accused Speak Briefly During Hearing
The men appeared one at a time before the court. Each spoke only briefly, confirming they understood the charges against them. The hearing was procedural in nature, focusing on custody status and next court dates rather than evidence.
All three men will remain in custody as their cases move through the court system. Each has retained separate legal counsel, although the court was informed that one of the accused intends to apply for legal aid.
Crown prosecutors requested a publication ban on evidence presented at upcoming bail hearings. The court also outlined a list of 11 individuals connected to the case whom the accused are prohibited from contacting.
Details of the Alleged Roles
Police Outline Events After the Altercation
Investigators allege that Barry Evans instructed his nephew to flee the scene immediately after the altercation. Court heard that Barry Evans then drove Evans Jr. to Collingwood, roughly an hour from Owen Sound.
Robert Busby Evans, who police say was not present at the restaurant, is accused of assisting his son by purchasing an airline ticket and arranging transportation to Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Police say Evans Jr. boarded a flight to London Heathrow on Aug. 18, 2023—just one day after the confrontation. Barry Evans and another family member, who has not been charged, reportedly flew to Glasgow later that same evening. Robert Evans Sr. followed days later, travelling to Manchester.
Statements and Requests From the Accused
Personal Remarks During Court Proceedings
During his appearance, Evans Jr., dressed in a black T-shirt and black pants, declined to have the charges formally read aloud.
“I know what I’m charged with,” he told the court. His next appearance is scheduled for Dec. 15.
Barry Evans, described in court as short and stocky, wore a black long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans. He also acknowledged understanding the charge against him. His next court date is set for Jan. 12.
Robert Evans Sr. told the court he was suffering from a cold but did not require medical attention. He asked whether he would be able to communicate with family members in the United Kingdom while in custody.
He also raised a personal concern, noting that he and his son had been held together while in custody overseas.
“I’ve been locked up for 16 months,” he said. “I’ve been locked up with my son in the same room. Will I be able to get that here, too?”
The court responded that housing arrangements would be determined by correctional authorities. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 7.
International Investigation Spanning Two Years
Arrests, Extradition, and Court Filings
The investigation into Rahman’s death extended far beyond Ontario. Two of the accused were arrested in Edinburgh in July 2024, with the third arrested in Dalkeith in October 2024.
They remained in custody in Scotland for more than a year. While they initially indicated plans to contest extradition, all three ultimately consented to be returned to Canada in October 2025.
Officers from the Owen Sound Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police escorted the men back to Canada on Thursday, according to authorities.
Court documents filed in Scotland reveal additional details about the accused’s time in Canada prior to the incident.
Use of False Identities and Business Activity
Police Allegations Raise Broader Questions
According to Scottish court records, Evans Jr. and Evans Sr. entered Canada in early June 2023 using valid U.K. passports issued under false names—Michael and Justin Jones. Police say neither man had legal authorization to work in Canada.
Despite this, investigators allege the family travelled extensively across Ontario during the summer of 2023, operating a cash-only paving business known as Total Paving.
The documents identify the Evans family as members of the U.K.’s “traveller” community. Some traveller groups have previously been flagged by authorities for involvement in driveway repair scams operating internationally. Police have not alleged that such activity is directly connected to Rahman’s death.
A Community Still in Mourning
Impact of Sharif Rahman’s Death in Owen Sound
Rahman was widely known in Owen Sound as a dedicated business owner and community supporter. Friends and residents described him as generous, hardworking, and deeply invested in local causes.
His sudden death sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community. He is survived by his wife and young daughter.
“We are aware of the impact this investigation has had on the victim’s family and the local community,” police said in a statement issued earlier in the proceedings. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who came forward with information to assist police during the investigation.”
For many residents, the case has been a painful reminder of how quickly ordinary moments can turn tragic. A dispute over a restaurant bill became a fatal encounter—one that forever altered a family and a town.
What Happens Next in the Legal Process
Upcoming Court Dates and Bail Hearings
The case now moves into its next phase within the Ontario justice system. Bail hearings are expected, although details remain limited due to the publication ban requested by Crown prosecutors.
Each accused will proceed separately, with individual legal representation. The court emphasized that all allegations remain unproven and that the accused are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
For now, they remain in custody as the judicial process unfolds.
Conclusion: A Case That Continues to Resonate
The return of the accused to Canada marks a critical step toward accountability in a case that has lingered in the public consciousness since the summer of 2023. Yet it also reopens wounds for a community still grappling with loss.
As the court process continues, the focus will shift from extradition and procedure to evidence, testimony, and legal argument. For the Rahman family and the people of Owen Sound, the hope is that the truth will emerge clearly—and that justice, in its full and careful form, will ultimately be served.
Until then, the case stands as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching consequences of a single moment of violence, and of the long road communities travel in the search for closure.
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