For the past several days in a London courtroom, the Crown has been bringing forward evidence against 26-year-old Preston Hill in an effort to obtain a dangerous offender designation.
The court heard Hill being described as an accomplished athlete who at one point had a promising hockey career. However, there was also evidence that he had a difficult upbringing and was subjected to sexual abuse as a child combined with drug and alcohol issues as a teenager.
Evidence has shown that as a young adult, Hill spent time in downtown London shelters, and that’s were he befriended Samuel Bakare, a man in his fifties who was known to be a pastor.
However, in May of 2021, that relationship turned deadly after Hill fatally stabbed Bakare to death in a north London neighbourhood.
On the same day the knife-wielding Hill attacked two random people and left them with injuries.
Pleading guilty to manslaughter and aggravated assault causing bodily harm, Crown Attorney Konrad de Koning is seeking the dangerous offender designation citing Hill’s chances to re-offend upon his release.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Alina Iosif examined Hill while he was in custody and she testified, “Because of sexual abuse Mr. Hill may have started using substances... he said when he used crystal meth he would hear voices.”
As for his violent behaviour, Dr. Iosif said, “Mr. Hill said he wanted to avenge himself against sexual predators.”
The doctor said, “I diagnosed Mr. Hill with antisocial personality traits and substance abuse disorder.”
Adding that Hill comes across as someone who lacks remorse for his actions, Dr. Iosif concluded, “In my opinion Mr. Hill is someone who has a high level of violent recidivism… I think that Mr. Hill has a high likelihood of committing a future serious violent offence.”
Under cross-examination from defence lawyer James Zegers the court heard that despite his violent past, Hill is somewhat receptive to counselling in the future.
If the Crown is successful with the dangerous offender application, Hill could face an indeterminate sentence in custody.
