"Less than a month before his trial was to begin, the man accused of gaybashing Jordan Smith on Davie St in September 2008 suddenly changed his plea to guilty on March 31," reports Xtra. ca.

“You admit you committed the assault causing bodily harm of Mr Jordan Smith?” BC Supreme Court Justice Bill Smart asked Michael Kandola.

“Yes,” Kandola said, appearing by closed circuit TV.

Kandola sat quietly for the rest of the proceedings, clad in orange prison garb and sporting a new beard.

He will return to court for sentencing on April 26.

Read Xtra.ca's full report on the 60 gaybashings they've reported on since 1994 here.