Jesse Bleck, convicted in hit-and-run crash, out on bail pending appeal decision

The London man convicted by a jury in the hit-and-run crash that nearly killed Tristan Roby has been released on bail pending an appeal of his verdict and prison sentence.

Jesse Bleck, 31, was convicted last August of failing to remain at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm and driving while prohibited in connection with the July 21, 2019 crash that left then-17-year-old Roby with permanent, life-altering injuries.

On June 18, Bleck was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison, less pre-trial custody, and handed a 10-year driving ban. Superior Court Justice Kelly Tranquilli, who oversaw Bleck's trial and his sentencing, described his actions as being "cruel and cowardly."

Documents from the Ontario Court of Appeal show Bleck filed a notice of appeal 10 days later while in custody at Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre, seeking an appeal of his conviction and sentence.

Bleck was represented during the trial by lawyer Geoff Snow, and during sentencing by Brian Eberdt. The documents show he plans to seek representation through Legal Aid Ontario, and wants a trial by judge and jury, if one were to be ordered.

"The verdict was unreasonable and my sentence is demonstrably unfit," the documents list as Bleck's reasons for appealing. He had originally entered not guilty pleas to the charges.

The 31-year-old was released from custody pending appeal on Aug. 6, with $10,000 put up by two sureties, appeal court documents show.

His release comes with several conditions, including that he wear a GPS monitor, remain in Ontario, hand over his passport, and stay at the home of one of his sureties in Clear Creek, Ont., in Norfolk County.

Bleck is also barred from communicating with 23 people, including the mother of his child, Roby and his mother Abby, and Tristan's friend Jack Helsdon. He is also prohibited from operating a motor vehicle, be found in the front seat of one, or have the keys to any vehicle.

Abby Roby, Tristan's mother, acknowledged Bleck's legal right to an appeal, but expressed disappointment that the court had granted him bail given past incidents in which Bleck violated release conditions.

"I haven't told Tristan because I think he would just be devastated. He knows that there's an appeal, he knew that there was a possibility of that... but I just haven't told him that he's out," Abby said.

"That's just my fear, if he finds out that he's out and about, he'll just get severely depressed, and it'll just be a nose dive after that."

Bleck had been arrested in 2021 for driving while prohibited, and in 2022 was accused of breaching release conditions by being outside his residence while wearing an ankle monitor. He entered guilty pleas to both charges in 2023.

His criminal record also includes convictions from 2017 and 2018 for refusing to provide a breath or blood sample, and failing to comply with a condition, respectively.