A man from Toronto, arrested while alone on a drifting boat in the Atlantic Ocean last autumn, has entered a guilty plea to charges of theft and possession of stolen goods. Mohammad Yazed Saleh, aged 31, confessed in provincial court in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, that he drove a stolen Ford F-150 truck with Ontario plates to a yacht club in the village of D’Escousse on the coast of Cape Breton. From there, he took a small fishing boat and set off into the sea.
Five days later, the stolen boat was spotted near the French islands of St-Pierre-Miquelon, close to Newfoundland. It took an additional two days for authorities from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, an RCMP marine unit from Quebec, the military, and the coast guard to locate Saleh, drifting east of Sable Island, 300 kilometers east of Nova Scotia.
Saleh has been in custody since September 30, 2025, and is still detained. Recently, during a court session, Crown and defense attorneys informed Judge Laurie Halfpenny-MacQuarrie that they would jointly suggest a sentence of eight months, equivalent to time already served, with Saleh to be released after his next court appearance next month.
Additionally, Saleh faced a charge of possessing stolen property related to the boat and multiple charges for violating release conditions concerning weapons offenses in Alberta and British Columbia. These charges were all dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Crown attorney Keavin Gallant Finnerty emphasized the gravity of theft and possession of stolen property charges, stating that an eight-month jail term falls within the typical sentencing range.
Saleh had the option to opt for a trial in the Nova Scotia Supreme Court but decided to forego that in favor of the plea deal, which he deemed as “fair.” The judge has requested a pre-sentence report and scheduled Saleh’s next court appearance for March 9 in Port Hawkesbury.
During a court appearance in October, Saleh expressed reluctance to return to Alberta or B.C., citing fears for his safety and significant financial losses. The reasons behind Saleh’s presence at the Lennox Passage Yacht Club in a stolen truck from Alberta, his decision to take the boat, and his intended destination remain unclear. However, a statement of agreed facts is anticipated during sentencing, allowing Saleh to address the court.
In conclusion, the Toronto man found adrift in the Atlantic Ocean has admitted guilt in relation to the boat theft incident, with a recommended sentence awaiting final court approval.