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How can he be held responsible if he suffers from maple syrup urine disease?Man with rare disorder spared jail for stalking girl
Canwest News Service June 19, 2010
WINDSOR, Ont. — A Windsor, Ont., man suffering from a rare metabolic disorder that causes brain damage was spared a jail sentence for stalking a 14-year-old girl.
Laith Sharma, 49, was charged with criminal harassment after he became infatuated with the girl he had never met.
The court heard he has developmental issues related to a genetic disorder called maple syrup urine disease. The condition, often diagnosed in infants with sweet-smelling urine, can lead to neurological damage and death if untreated.
Sharma was arrested last week after following the girl and writing her a letter professing his desire to marry her, the court heard.
Assistant Crown attorney Frank Schwalm pointed out Sharma was on probation from another criminal harassment charge when he became fixated on the 14-year-old girl in December.
Sharma was sentenced to 45 days of house arrest, to be served at his parents’ home. linky
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