Three people have received jail sentences for assaulting TTC employees during three separate incidents.

A man engaged in a verbal dispute with other passengers on a streetcar operating along the 504 King route Friday, January 11. After the streetcar operator intervened, the man assaulted the driver and threatened him with death. The suspect fled, but Toronto Police Services officers later arrested him. Ryan Sheppard, 28, pleaded guilty to assault last Wednesday, January 16, and the court sentenced him to 30 days in jail.

A woman boarded another 504 King streetcar without paying a fare Monday, January 14. When the operator requested a fare, she spat in his face and slapped him. Toronto Police Service officers arrested the woman a short time later. Asmait Gebre-Yohannes, 35, pleaded guilty to assault. The court sentenced her to 44 days in jail and one year’s probation.

Tuesday, January 8, two transit enforcement officers were “performing proof-of-payment duties” on a streetcar operating along the 501 Queen route. A man boarded through the rear doors. When the officers asked for proof of payment, the man became unco-operative, then spat in both officers’ faces. Allan Dorinie, 49, pleaded guilty to assault a week later, Tuesday, January 15. The court sentenced him to 68 days in jail and 18 months probation. His probation order also bars him from all TTC vehicles and property for the first six months of his probation.

On average, at least two TTC employees are assaulted every day. The assaults range from punching, slapping and spitting, to threatening physical harm or death. The TTC’s court advocates work with Crown attorneys and the courts to secure the stiffest penalties possible for those convicted of assaulting or threatening TTC employees. They continue to seek ways to restrict those convicted of these crimes from using public transit in Toronto.