Three U.K. men charged in death of restaurant owner over unpaid bill

Article content

OWEN SOUND — Three citizens of the United Kingdom have been charged in connection with the August 2023 death of a popular Owen Sound restaurant owner over an allegedly unpaid bill.

Sharif Rahman, 44, was assaulted and suffered serious injuries outside his business, The Curry House, on Aug. 17, 2023. He would never regain consciousness and died in a London hospital a week later.

Article content

Owen Sound police and members of the Ontario Provincial Police announced the charges at a news conference in Owen Sound on Wednesday, when they also explained why information about the case had been withheld since two arrests were announced last August.

Robert Evans, 24, was charged with manslaughter and Robert Busby Evans, 47, was charged with accessory after the fact to commit an indictable offence. They were charged July 29 this year, Det.-Insp. Jane Conway told reporters at the news briefing.

Another man from the U.K.,Barry Evans, 54, was arrested and charged on Oct. 29 with accessory after the fact to commit an indictable offence, police said. Conway wouldn’t divulge the relationship between the three suspects, saying police don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the extradition process.

“The individuals are currently in the U.K. and are before the courts in relation to extradition. There are no timelines available for the extradition of the accused individuals,” police said. All three remain in custody, Conway said.

When police announced four months ago that they’d made arrests in the death of Rahman, there was relief but lots of unanswered questions in the community.

Article content

Article content

Police provided some of those answers this week. 

Conway said Rahman was “assaulted and tragically succumbed to his injuries. His death has affected not only his loved ones but the entire community.”

The suspects were visiting from the United Kingdom. Rahman died a week after he was assaulted, on Aug. 24, 2023 and “soon after” police learned the suspects had left the country, Conway said. 

Conway said more than 100 tips received were “invaluable.” She said the investigation “has been complex and involved a co-ordinated effort involving many agencies, partners and units.”

“Due to the nature of the investigation and the international element, the information was sealed in an effort to support the apprehension of the accused,” police said in the news release.

“On August 15, 2024, the OPP and OSPS released limited information that arrests have been made. As the information was sealed and one suspect was outstanding, further information could not be released.”

Owen Sound Police Chief Craig Ambrose said at the news briefing that the community was shocked that a “cherished member” of the community had been assaulted. “Sharifur was known by many for his generosity and community involvement” and for his restaurant. He acknowledged community frustration but said details were withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Article content

Ambrose said investigators should be recognized for their “dedication and devotion to this investigation.” He noted Rahman’s homicide was the third in the city over a six-week period which overwhelmed city resources, with the OPP called on to help.

Rahman’s wife, Shayela Nasrin, continues to run The Curry House and has spoken at events honouring her husband, sometimes accompanied by their young daughter.

In a statement which Owen Sound police Det.-Const. Chevonne Martin read on her behalf, she thanked all who worked together leading up to the arrests, and thanked the community for its support

“Although it is a complicated case, I have faith in the rule of law. I have been waiting patiently since Aug. 17, 2023, and I believe justice will be served for my husband.”

A few days after Rahman’s assault, police announced they were looking for three suspects who ate at the restaurant. There was a dispute over an unpaid bill, and a confrontation which left Rahman unconscious on the street.

In the days and weeks that followed Rahman’s hospitalization and death, the community held vigils, walks and other gatherings in his memory and to support his family. On the day of Rahman’s funeral, people lined the streets along the procession route from the Owen Sound mosque to Greenwood Cemetery, some waving small handmade Bangladeshi flags.

Article content

A GoFundMe for the family raised $250,000 from more than 3,000 individual donations.

Rahman was posthumously awarded the 2023 YMCA Peace Medallion for his exceptional contributions to peace building in the community and beyond, and the Community Foundation Grey Bruce announced an anonymous donor had initiated the Sharifur Rahman Memorial Scholarship Fund, using his full given name.

The city began installing surveillance cameras downtown in September, in response to public calls for more safety measures in the wake of Rahman’s death.

Police said Wednesday the investigation continues.

Files from Rob Gowan and Greg Cowan

Article content