Three U.K. men charged in killing of Owen Sound restaurant owner appear in court

Three men from Scotland charged in the killing of Sharif Rahman outside his Owen Sound restaurant in August 2023 appeared in court Friday morning.

Robert Evans Jr, now 25, along with his father Robert Evans and uncle Barry Evans made their first court appearance in Owen Sound bail court following their extradition from Scotland where the men have been held in custody since last year.

According to Scottish court documents, investigators with Ontario Provincial police and Owen Sound Police Service believe the three men, while visiting Ontario two years ago found themselves in Owen Sound.

Robert Jr. and his uncle Barry went out to dinner on the night of August 17, 2023, when police said, after skipping out on their $150 bill at The Curry House along 2nd Avenue East, the then-23-year-old Robert Evans Jr. was confronted by Rahman.

Investigators say Evans Jr. punched Rahman and knocked him to the ground where his head struck the sidewalk. Rahman died a week later in a London, Ont. hospital.

Following the incident, police say the accused fled the scene. And according to public court records from the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Barry Evans drove towards his nephew sounding the car horn, shouting at Robert Evans Jr. to “run, run”, then allowed him to get in his car, before driving off.

A day later police say Robert Sr. booked a one-way flight for his son back to the U.K. It is alleged Barry Evans went to the hotel in town where he had previously booked rooms and erased any trace the men were staying in Owen Sound. Barry Evans and Robert Sr. are charged with being accessories-after-the-fact for their alleged actions in the hours and days that followed Rahman being rushed to hospital. Robert Evans Sr. also identified himself in court as Justin Jones.

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

Robert Evans Jr. is scheduled to return to court Monday, while his father and uncle will have to wait until early in the new year. The allegations against them have not been tested in court.