‘Toxic masculinity’ behind assault, judge says

KITCHENER — A judge cited “toxic masculinity” in sentencing a motorist who chased another driver through the streets and punched him in the face at a stoplight.

On Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m., four young men got into an argument with four other young men in the Fairview Park mall parking lot. One of the men allegedly uttered a racial slur at Javier Bonilla and then took off in a minivan.

Bonilla, 22, planned to just drive away but when someone in the minivan threw blue liquid at his car, he decided to take up the chase.

Both vehicles were driven erratically. At one point, Bonilla cut in front of the minivan. At a red light on Weber Street East, Bonilla got out and repeatedly punched the minivan driver in the face, breaking his glasses and causing a small cut.

It was a case of “toxic masculinity” with one man getting insulted and going after another in a “game” to prove who is toughest, Justice Elliott Allen said.

The judge said their driving was the “principal problem” because it put other motorists at risk. No driving charges were laid.

“Sounds like people who are too immature to have driver’s licences,” Allen said. “Neither of these young men should have driver’s licences for a year — probably three would be more appropriate.”

Bonilla, who pleaded guilty to assault on Tuesday, took anger management counselling after the incident and made restitution for the broken glasses.

Allen agreed to a joint recommendation for a conditional discharge with one year of probation. He must give a DNA sample and faces a three-year weapons ban.

“The only thing I would say to you is grow up,” the judge told Bonilla. “You shouldn’t be driving a car until you do.”