The man accused of attacking two male strangers with a machete on Vancouver’s Granville Street on New Year’s Eve 2021 returns to court June 2 for pre-sentencing reports.
Cruz Thomas Joseph pleaded guilty to assault and robbery charges on March 30.
Joseph was initially charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, two counts of assault causing bodily harm, robbery, and possession of a dangerous weapon in connection with the attacks.
The victims were a 52-year-old man who was struck in the head and a 26-year-old man who was hit in the face.
Joseph remains in custody.
He entered the guilty pleas before Vancouver Provincial Court Judge David St. Pierre by video.
Joseph’s lawyer Josh Oppal said Joseph was pleading guilty to assault with a weapon against one man and to charges of assault causing bodily harm.
Joseph also pleaded not guilty to two charges of aggravated assault.
As well, Joseph pleaded guilty to robbing one of the men and to another assault charge in February.
The case is adjourned until June 2 while pre-sentencing reports are completed.
Police said at the time that the attacks appeared completely unprovoked.
Both incidents took place near Granville and Nelson streets, where police ultimately apprehended Joseph at around 7 p.m. that night.
