Home › Canadian Case Library › R v Steele
R v Steele
Nobody Saw the Gun
The facts
Intruders broke into a dwelling house. During the break-in they told the occupants that they had a gun. No occupant ever saw a firearm - it was never displayed, never pointed, and never fired. Minutes after the intruders fled, police found a loaded pistol in the getaway vehicle. The trial judge inferred from that evidence that the gun had been present during the break-in. The Accused was charged not only with the break-in but with the separate offence of using a firearm while committing an indictable offence. The Crown argued that telling terrified householders you are armed is precisely the use of a firearm the section is aimed at. The Defence argued that 'uses a firearm' has an ordinary meaning - firing it, or at least brandishing it - and that words alone cannot convert an unseen gun in a car into the use of a firearm.
The court's decision, its reasoning, and how other players voted are revealed when you play the case.
About this library
Every case in GUILTY or NOT? Canada is a genuine published decision. This library carries the facts and the citation for cases that have already appeared in the game, so you can look them up, cite them, or read the judgment in full. The verdict stays in the game. Browse all cases.