Amanda Todd’s dad delivers heartbreaking statement at Coban sentencing in B.C.

Amanda Todd’s father has spoken publicly for the first time since his daughter’s suicide a decade ago, as he delivered a heartbreaking statement at Aydin Coban’s sentencing hearing Tuesday.

Norm Todd wiped away tears as he told BC Supreme Court in his victim impact statement that it’s impossible for him to imagine the threats and “lurking evil” that encircled his 15-year-old after she was lured and exploited by a cyberbully.

He says he was so consumed with anger and sadness that every aspect of his life was affected.

Carol Todd placed a framed photo of her smiling daughter by her side as she read her victim statement Tuesday, and one from her son, Christopher.

She told the court she has struggled with guilt about whether she could have done more to protect her daughter, whose love of singing brought her to the internet and the man who first called her beautiful, then exploited her.

Amanda Todd’s mother, Carol Todd, leaves the New Westminster Law Courts in New Westminster, B.C. Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. Dutch national Aydin Coban returns to a B.C. Supreme Court courtroom as his multi-day sentencing for child sexploitation resumes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Coban’s sentencing hearing got underway Tuesday after it was delayed due to COVID-19 weeks prior.

The Crown is asking the judge to sentence the Dutch citizen to 12 years in prison for multiple child sexual offences against Amanda, who took her own life on Oct. 10, 2012.

Coban was not charged in connection with the death, but the Crown has told his hearing that the sextortion scheme was “morally repugnant,” that he refuses rehabilitation, is at a high risk to re-offend, and must be separated from society for a lengthy period.

Any sentence could be added to the 11 years Coban is already serving in the Netherlands for similar offences, and the Crown is recommending the Canadian sentence be served after the Dutch penalty ends.

Crown attorney Louise Kenworthy says Coban’s conduct was calculated, callous, and had devastating consequences. Kenworthy adds Coban’s lawyer plans to ask that any Canadian punishment be served at the same time as he completes his Dutch term.

Related articles: 

• Amanda Todd’s mom calls for police to take online harassment, sextortion seriously

• Aydin Coban sentencing hearing delayed due to COVID-19

• New cyberbullying report paints grim picture as trends continue

Coban was found guilty in August of this year of harassing Amanda in the years before her suicide.

The Port Coquitlam teen’s death came soon after she posted a heart-breaking YouTube video that described what her life was like being tormented by an online harasser.

In addition to harassment, Coban was also convicted on a number of other charges, including extortion, communication with a young person to commit a sexual offence, and possession and distribution of child pornography.

-With files from Dean Recksiedler and Emily Marsten