Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Tech Style & Beauty Kitchen & Dining Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsCanadaVancouver man facing 227 days in jail after assaulting teen with fecesJudge says man's actions 'likely caused terror, created a fear of disease, hypervigilance, and concern about being out alone' in the victimLast updated 19 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.The B.C. Criminal Court building at 222 Main St. in Vancouver. Photo by Google MapsA man who pleaded guilty to several “vile” offences that included assaulting a teenager and smearing fecal matter over her face and mouth has been handed a sentence of 695 days, or almost two years, by a judge in Vancouver. However, after time served in pre-trial custody, he will face just 227 more days behind bars.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorFitsum Wode Zewdu, 33, pleaded guilty to sexual assault, assault, and committing an indecent act. In sentencing, Judge Reginald Harris of B.C. Provincial Court said he took into account the guilty plea and “the love and support of his parents,” including a letter from his father in his support.However, Judge Harris also noted that “the vile nature of the unprovoked assault committed against a young woman who was a stranger to Mr. Zewdu warrants a sentence that strongly denounces and deters.”Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againCourt documents released this week outline the troubling nature of the offences. In one, which took place on June 27, 2025, a 17-year-old was walking in a residential area near a SkyTrain station when Zewdu approached her from behind and grabbed her.“He then smeared fecal matter over her face and mouth while pushing and jamming feces into her face and mouth,” court records state. “Mr. Zewdu was laughing as he held out his phone causing the victim to believe that Mr. Zewdu was recording the assault. A subsequent search of his phone showed that this was not the case.”The assault only stopped when the victim screamed and ran to a nearby residence where she called the police. The police found Zewdu approaching a second woman with a stroller and asking her to smell his feces-covered hands.In another instance on Oct. 13, 2024, Zewdu exited a SkyTrain station just after midnight and approached a woman who was waiting for a bus and slapped her buttocks before leaving the area.Then on July 11, 2025, Zewdu was asked to leave an exotic strip lounge. Outside, he went to the rear parking lot and spotted a woman walking by. He approached her and threatened to kill her and to beat the “shit” out of her. Throughout, he had his penis exposed. The woman called the police, who arrested him after a brief chase.Judge Harris noted that no victim impact statements were received by the court. “This said, common sense dictates that Mr. Zewdu’s conduct likely caused terror, created a fear of disease, hypervigilance, and concern about being out alone. No doubt, his actions robbed the victims of feeling secure and to some measure limited their movement in the community.”Court records say that Zewdu was born in Ethiopia and moved with his father to Canada when he was three. A few years later, his mother and sister joined them. “Thereafter, the family moved frequently, ultimately settling in Burnaby,” the document states. “In 2012, Mr. Zewdu lost his sister to suicide.”The judge noted that Zewdu has a criminal record that stretches back to 2019.“A review of the record discloses two convictions for failing to comply with court orders and a termination of a conditional sentence order,” the judge wrote. “There is one conviction for sexual assault, two convictions for committing an indecent act, and two mischief convictions.”Convictions include being found naked and masturbating while sitting at a library computer; spitting in a woman’s face; and dropping a cigarette down a woman’s top while whispering about her licking his feet. Zewdu was out of jail on a conditional sentence order when he committed the most recent sexual assault.In sentencing, the judge noted several aggravating factors, including earlier convictions for similar offences; being bound by court orders at the time of his offences; and “the humiliating and disgusting act of putting feces in his victim’s face.” The judge also wrote: “Zewdu targets women and does so when few people are around.”A court psychologist wrote that “Mr. Zewdu’s risk of sexual offending in the community is high,” adding: “The most likely victims are women. Risk scenarios including unwanted touching (e.g. slapping buttocks, grabbing, smearing feces), exposing his genitals in public, masturbating in public, verbal threats, and boundary violations.”Zewdu has spent 311 days in pre-trial custody and, at 1.5 to 1, he has a “credit” of 467 days. The judge sentenced him to 60 days for the buttocks-slapping incident, 180 days for the incident outside the strip lounge, and 15 months (455 days) for the assault with feces.He has a balance of 227 days to serve in prison, plus a lengthy probation order in effect for three years after his release. The judge waived the victim fine surcharge, noting that Zewdu has been unemployed for years.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.