A Welland-based family physician has been acquitted of a sexual assault charge following a jury trial held earlier in 2023. Dr. Boutros Mikhail, 51, of Oakville, was found not guilty on February 19, 2025, by a jury at the Welland Superior Court of Justice.
The charge stemmed from an allegation made in 2022, which prompted an investigation by the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS). According to authorities, detectives with the Sexual Assault Unit received a report on October 20, 2022, concerning a historical sexual assault said to have occurred on October 12, 2022. The incident was alleged to have taken place at a family medical practice located at 188 East Main Street in Welland.
Following the investigation, Dr. Mikhail was arrested on February 3, 2023. He was charged with one count of sexual assault under section 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada. At the time of his arrest, he was released on a Form 10 Undertaking and scheduled to appear in court on April 28, 2023.
Because the case involved a licensed physician, detectives notified the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) about the arrest. The CPSO is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the conduct and licensing of medical professionals in the province.
While the initial charge led to a public court process, the case concluded with Dr. Mikhail’s acquittal after a jury deliberated and found him not guilty.
At the time of the initial report, investigators stated that the nature of the complaint led them to believe there could be other potential complainants. Authorities had encouraged anyone with additional information related to the case to come forward.
Members of the public were urged to contact the lead investigator at the Niagara Regional Police Service by calling 905-688-4111 (option 3, extension 1009504). For those who preferred to provide information anonymously, Crime Stoppers of Niagara offered an alternative, with tips accepted via their website or by phone at 1-800-222-8477. The program also offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest.
As of now, no further charges have been reported in this case.
Dr. Boutros Mikhail’s acquittal brings the legal proceedings to a close. However, any professional or regulatory outcomes related to his medical practice would be under the jurisdiction of the CPSO, which may conduct its review separately from the criminal justice process.
This case drew local attention due to the involvement of a healthcare professional in a serious criminal allegation. With the not guilty verdict, Dr. Mikhail has been cleared of the charge in the eyes of the law.
The story has since circulated on Reddit, sparking conversations about legal accountability, public trust in physicians, and the justice system
#1. One Reddit user, namely hiba786, claimed that he was the one who sexually assaulted someone and was arrested.
Sexual Assault in Oakville: Trends & Recent Cases
Regional Crime Statistics (Halton Region)
According to the 2024 data from Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), which covers Oakville:
- Sexual assault incidents numbered 175 in 2024, down 13.9% from 195 in 2023.
- Other sexual offences declined 21.9%, from 91 in 2023 to 74 in 2024.
While the region’s overall violent crime decreased by 9.4%, sexual assault remains a significant concern, with about one case reported per 1,200 residents (Oakville’s population is ~214,000, per the 2021 census).
Recent High-Profile Incidents in Oakville
June 4, 2025 – Trail Assault
- Location: Sixteen Mile Creek Heritage Trail, near Skyvalley Crescent
- Incident: A woman walking alone was grabbed from behind by a male cyclist at ~5:30 pm. The assailant fled by bike; the victim sustained no physical injuries.
- HRPS issued alerts detailing the suspect: white male, ~40–50 years old, stocky build, wearing shorts and a bike helmet. Public assistance is requested.
March 14, 2025 – Street Assault
- Location: Sovereign Street, near Jones Street
- Incident: At approximately 12:10 am, a woman was verbally lured and then sexually assaulted; the suspect fled when the victim resisted. She was unharmed physically.
- The suspect is described as a 50–60-year-old white man, 5’3″–5’4″, wiry beard and, sunken face. HRPS continues the investigation.
March 23, 2025 – Uber Driver Arrest
- Location: Burlington, involving an Oakville-based Uber driver
- Incident: A 24-year-old Uber driver, Hassan Ali Khan of Oakville, allegedly sexually assaulted a female passenger at ~2:30 am upon reaching her destination. The victim was physically unharmed.
- Khan has been charged with one count of sexual assault and awaits court proceedings in Milton.
October 2024 – Child-related Charges
- Incident: In October 2024, Patrick McCash (21) from Oakville was charged with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual interference, and one count of child luring. Investigations suggested multiple underage victims.
Context & Analysis
- Declining but persistent cases: Sexual assault reports in Halton dropped from 195 (2023) to 175 (2024), but remain a critical public safety issue.
- High-profile cases drive awareness: Incidents on trails and roads, use of ride-hailing spaces, and allegations involving minors highlight the diversity and unpredictability of sexual assault threats in Oakville and nearby areas.
- Unfounded rate concern: An internal review revealed that around 30% of sexual assault investigations in Halton were deemed “unfounded”, sparking debates over investigative rigor and victim support.
What’s Being Done
- Proactive policing: HRPS continues to release public safety alerts after major incidents, urging vigilance and community reporting.
- Support systems: Victims can access the HRPS Victim Services Unit and other support resources; there is no time limit for reporting sexual assault.
- Investigative reviews: In light of the high unfounded case rate, Halton police are evaluating department procedures to ensure fairness and responsiveness.
Looking Ahead
- Improving trust: The reduction in reported cases may reflect actual decline or ongoing underreporting. Addressing the 30% unfounded rate is key to maintaining community trust.
- Ongoing awareness: Continued proactive alerts and public engagement are vital, particularly for outdoor and ride-share safety.
- Legislative & support improvements: Enhanced reporting tools, training, and victim support systems can facilitate safer reporting and stronger case outcomes.
