Canadian Restaurant Owner died after ‘Unpaid Bill’ Row

Three British men pleaded guilty after a Canadian restaurant owner died following a row over an unpaid bill.

Robert Evans Jr pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Sharif Rahman at a court hearing on June 5.

Rahman died after an incident outside a restaurant in Owen Sound, Ontario, in August 2023.

Evans Jr’s father, Robert Busby Evans, and his uncle, Barry Evans, pleaded guilty to being accessories to the crime. Both men were sentenced to time already served.

The three men, who are believed to be from Manchester, were extradited to Canada from Scotland in 2025. Evans Jr is due to be sentenced next month.

According to local police, the two older men have now been taken into the custody of the Canadian Border Agency for repatriation.

Rahman, a father of one originally from Bangladesh, died a week after an alleged physical altercation involving members of the Evans family. The incident took place in Owen Sound, around 118 miles from Toronto.

It was alleged that the confrontation occurred outside a curry house after an argument over an unpaid restaurant bill worth $150 (£79).

Rahman was later found lying in the street by a staff member and was taken to hospital in London, Ontario, where he died from his injuries.

It was reported at the time that the three men were visiting the country on holiday visas and left Canada shortly after the incident.

More than a year later, Evans Jr and his father were arrested by Police Scotland in Edinburgh. Barry Evans was arrested separately in Dalkeith.

CBC reported that all three men are originally from Manchester. They each consented to extradition during separate hearings at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in October last year before Sheriff Julius Komorowski.

Defence agent Sarah Loosemore said Robert Busby Evans had decided “it would be appropriate for these matters to be dealt with under the Canadian justice system”.

Similar statements were made on behalf of the other two men. Sheriff Komorowski reminded each of them that there was “no appeal” against their decision to consent to extradition.

At an earlier hearing, lawyers representing the two older men argued there was “no equivalent act” to being an accessory to the alleged offence under Scots law and that extradition should therefore be refused.

The case attracted significant attention in Owen Sound, a town of around 22,000 residents, where Rahman was widely known in the local community.

Owen Sound mayor Ian Boddy described Rahman as a “wonderful, warm man” who was well known in the community.

He said: “He was very calm, gentle, just a beautiful human being who everybody liked, so it was a real shock to the community when it happened.

“I think the community is happy that it has finally been resolved and gone through court.

“I’m hoping the community remembers him and emulates him by showing that warmth and being kind to one another, always welcome people and support everyone, that is his legacy.”