A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for manslaughter and aggravated assault and banned from the Thunder Bay district.
Justice Tracey Nieckarz handed down the sentence Friday in Thunder Bay for Ocean Trinity Ayodeji, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2022 death of 19-year-old Tyrese Belmore of Sioux Lookout.
Police said Belmore was killed at a Shipley Street residence in June 2022. According to court documents, Ayodeji stabbed and slashed Belmore several times during a fight at the home. He also injured another man’s eye.
Ayodeji was later found guilty of aggravated assault for attacking another inmate at Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene, Ont., on May 17, 2024.
The Crown and defence jointly asked for a seven-year sentence. Ayodeji has already spent five years in custody before sentencing, leaving him with just under two years to serve. The 18-month sentence for the jail assault will be served at the same time.
He was also sentenced to three years of probation.
The judge noted that Belmore’s death was linked to drug trafficking. Factors in Ayodeji’s favour included taking anger management classes and attending counselling.
Ayodeji is banned from the Thunder Bay district, has a lifetime weapons ban and cannot contact anyone involved in Belmore’s death. He must also provide a DNA sample.
