Ont. man accused of kidnapping and attempted murder awaits bail review decision

One of five men accused of attempted murder and kidnapping charges is seeking his release following a failed bail hearing in October.

One of five men accused of attempted murder and kidnapping charges, following the discovery of a Mississauga man bound and beaten inside an abandoned Orillia gas station in late September, is seeking his release following a failed bail hearing in October.

After being denied bail by Justice of the Peace Jennifer Martin, 63-year-old Surjit Singh Bains had his bail review Thursday in the Superior Court of Justice in Barrie before Justice Susan Healey.

The defence argued Bains should be released, arguing the justice of the peace made an error in law during the initial bail hearing, and the new release plan is stronger, bolstered by around-the-clock supervision by Bains’ loved ones.

Bains, who is from Woodbridge, has been in custody since his arrest along with four other men from the Greater Toronto Area.

Manraj Mann, 31, Dwayne Pennant, 41, Baltej Sandhu, 30 all of Brampton, and 51-year-old Gergy Anthony Gorburn, of Toronto, were also charged with attempted murder and kidnapping, forcible confinement, and breaking and entering to commit an indictable offence.

Gorburn was denied bail Wednesday, in a Bradford courtroom, despite a $70,000 pledge by two loved ones to secure his release on house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor. According to court documents obtained by CTV News, Gorburn has a lengthy criminal record including assaults, weapons, and breaking and entering charges.

The justice of peace who ordered Gorburn detained ruled the public would be appalled to learn he had been released and sent Gorburn back to jail. He returns to court later this month.

Dwayne Pennant was released in November to three sureties who pledged a total of $125,000 under full house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor. Sandhu was the first of the group granted bail in mid-October when he and four sureties put up a quarter of a million dollars under house arrest to secure his release.

Manraj Mann was denied bail despite family members pledging more than $200,000 to bail him out. Mann is back in court Friday by video from jail at Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene.

A publication ban prevents any evidence heard in court from being revealed.

Justice Healey said she plans to deliver her decision next week on whether Bains will be released from custody. The allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.