Woman jailed 46 days for assault on TTC operator, customers

A 29-year-old woman was sentenced to 46 days in jail and 18 months house arrest for assaulting a TTC bus driver and three customers.

On July 20, 2011, a woman boarded a TTC bus near Downsview Station. The woman became involved in a fare dispute.  During the dispute, the woman yelled racial slurs at the bus driver, pepper sprayed him as well as three TTC customers who came to help the employee.

The suspect fled the bus, but was arrested a short time later by Toronto Police.

On July 12, 2012, Dana Chobatru, pleaded guilty to four charges of assault with a weapon.

On average, two TTC employees are assaulted every day, ranging from punching, slapping and spitting, to threats of physical harm or death. The TTC’s Court Advocates work with Crown Attorneys and the Courts to secure the stiffest penalties possible for those convicted of assault on TTC employees, and continue to seek limits on the use of public transit in Toronto for those convicted of these crimes.