American Motorist Sentenced for Intentionally Striking Woman in Windsor

An American motorist has received an 18-month prison sentence for intentionally running down a pedestrian in downtown Windsor, Canada. The incident involved Shermere Coulston-Hawkins, 24, who was accused of targeting a woman he had met online. The attack occurred on December 23, 2023, following a violent confrontation at Devonshire Mall.

During a sentencing hearing, Superior Court Justice Kelly Gorman described Coulston-Hawkins’s actions as “despicable.” Despite the prosecution’s request for a prison term of up to eight years, the judge stated that the sentence was “simply not supported by the case law.” This remark came after the defense labeled the Crown’s proposed penalty as “grossly disproportionate” to the crime committed.

Coulston-Hawkins had been in custody since the day of the attack and faced multiple charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault. Ultimately, he pleaded guilty in May to lesser charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm and assault. The court heard that he had choked the victim during an altercation at the mall, an incident interrupted by a bystander.

After the choking incident, the victim, a woman from Belle River, was walking away from her own vehicle in downtown Windsor when Coulston-Hawkins followed her in his car. He then accelerated and struck her intentionally, resulting in significant physical and emotional trauma. The court noted that the impact of the collision sent her flying, and she continues to experience substantial effects from the attack.

At the sentencing, Justice Gorman cited an aggravating factor: Coulston-Hawkins abandoned the victim on the ground after the collision. Yet, he also acknowledged mitigating circumstances, including Coulston-Hawkins’s self-surrender to police after visiting the hospital where the victim was treated. The judge emphasized the importance of delivering a message of denunciation and deterrence to the community.

As part of the sentence, Coulston-Hawkins was also placed on probation for three years. Notably, he is prohibited from returning to Canada during this period. However, standard probation conditions do not apply across international borders, limiting the court’s ability to impose additional restrictions.

While in custody, Coulston-Hawkins completed an anger management course, which was considered during sentencing. Following the conclusion of his prison term, he is expected to be handed over to federal immigration authorities for deportation back to the United States. Additionally, Justice Gorman ordered him to submit a blood sample for a DNA databank utilized by Canadian law enforcement agencies.

This case highlights the severe consequences of intimate partner violence and the importance of accountability in addressing such incidents. The court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the need for community awareness and prevention efforts surrounding violent behavior.