A distinctive neck tattoo and quick-thinking by a local businessman helped police identify a suspect in an October knife assault on Wellington Street East.
Joshua Roess, 31, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Ontario Court to assault with a weapon in connection to the October 22, 2024 incident.
According to Assistant Crown Attorney Robert Skeggs, the victim had contacted police after confronting two men loitering and shouting threats outside his place of business. The men reportedly warned they would return to smash the building’s windows.
The business owner followed the pair and captured photographs of them, one of whom allegedly pulled a knife and charged toward him. A physical altercation ensued, during which the victim believed he had been stabbed. Although he was not hospitalized and sustained no major wounds, small cuts were documented, according to defence counsel Jasmine Gassi Harnden.
The assailants were both described as having neck tattoos — a key detail that aided in the investigation. One tattoo in particular, reading “girls lie,” helped distinguish Roess from others in the community. “There sure are not many people walking around the Sault with a ‘girls lie’ tattoo around their neck,” Skeggs noted.
The complainant later identified Roess by matching the photos he had taken with images found on Facebook. Roess was subsequently arrested and charged.
Roess has an extensive criminal history dating back to June 2012, which Skeggs described as “a staggering number of convictions.” Both Crown and defence jointly recommended a 12-month jail sentence, reduced by the time Roess has already served in pre-sentence custody.
Justice Richard Schneider accepted the joint submission, remarking that the sentence was “very much at the low end” considering Roess’s prior record and the nature of the offence. “Your record speaks volumes,” Schneider told the accused.
Roess received 192 days of enhanced credit for time served, leaving 93 days remaining in his sentence. Upon release, he will be placed on probation for two years, with conditions that include participating in counselling, assessments, and rehabilitation programs. He is also prohibited from contacting the victim or being within 100 metres of them.
In addition, Roess was issued a 10-year weapons prohibition and must submit a DNA sample to the national database.
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