Three men in three cities across Ontario share a common fate.

Despite facing serious allegations, they are all free on bail. Judges released them as they feared that inmates will contract the potentially-deadly COVID-19 virus in jails.

Distroscale

One of the three is an accused violent dealer in Hamilton who was allegedly nabbed with a third of a kilogram of crystal meth.

The second man allegedly fired a bullet through his ex-lover’s window .

The third is an Ottawa crack dealer who allegedly pistol-whipped, Tasered and forcibly confined victims whom he allegedly stole from.

Inmates “are likely to be more vulnerable to the COVID-19 outbreak than the general population because of the confined living conditions … for prolonged periods of time,” stated Hamilton Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman. There was no publication ban on this hearing.

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Goodman freed the alleged dealer last Monday, ordering him to stay at his surety’s home in Hamilton “24/7 until the pandemic emergency is lifted by the province.”

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The 43-year-old was allegedly arrested in Hamilton with 378 grams of crystal meth on Jan. 25, 2019. The man has an extensive criminal record with 10 convictions occurring since 2017, including weapons and drug trafficking offences.

“I am really happy because it was the right decision,” said the man’s lawyer, Robin McCourt. “It balanced the public interest in safety and health and the plan we put forward.

“It’s certainly not a get out of jail free situation,” said McCourt.

In another case, Sohail Rajan, 48, is facing discharge firearm and other charges involving his ex-lover. He allegedly fired a bullet through her front window on Nov. 1, 2018.

On his fourth bid for freedom, Rajan secured bail because of “the COVID-19 pandemic and the threat it poses to inmates,” ruled Justice David Harris, of Brampton Superior Court of Justice.

“The threat of COVID-19 in a jail setting is based on cold, hard scientific reality,” said Harris.

“Social distancing and proper hygiene cannot be practised in jail,” said Rajan’s lawyer, David Parry.

“This is not only just for the sake of those detained, but also the safety of the guards and the whole community,” said Parry.

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In a third case, Brandon Cain allegedly pistol-whipped and Tasered two victims in July 2019.

Cain allegedly breached bail conditions for charges arising from that incident in January and was denied bail in February.

Justice Anne London-Weinstein gave the Ottawa man bail in the form of house arrest with an ankle monitoring bracelet on April 1.

“A deadly virus has been unleashed on the world,” she said.

spazzano@postmedia.com