A sexual assaulter is expelled to protect his life

In April 2019, Simon Houle, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières, sexually assaulted one of his friends at a party in an apartment. A sleeping woman wakes up in a bedroom In the light of the camera. She feels the fingers moving back and forth in her vagina. Her camisole is up and her bra is open. Nine photographs of his private parts were found on the attacker’s cell phone.

Two years later, the engineer pleaded guilty to sexual assault and voyeurism.

While the Crown was asking for 18 months in prison, Quebec District Court Judge Matthieu Poliquin replaced him with a conditional discharge in a decision handed down last month.

He thinks there will be consequences for a criminal record DisproportionateFirst The Court believes that an engineer’s work requires travel to other countries. Note that Simon Hole, who has had the same appointment since 2018, has never had to travel for his job.

Not his first victim

In his treatment, which began soon after the allegations, Simon Hoole admitted to sexually assaulting another woman in the past without being charged. Despite this confession trouble According to the judge, demonstrates its desire for transparency and the severity of his treatment.

Judge Poliquin notes that the accused Deeply regrets the actions takenConfesses to the crime and feels shame for not informing his father and his brothers of the charges against him.

Although he insisted Penetrating and intense character Offenses against the victim In a state of great vulnerabilityThe court clarified that assault Gone very quickly. Simon Hoole’s Drunkenness, without a justificationstill allows Explain behaviorAccording to the judge.

Simon Hole, who undertook a part-time certificate in law, has proved that he is a man. Good character And that his crimes Situational and timely in his lifeCan read in the resolution.

Hence the engineer benefits from conditional discharge with a probationary period of three years. Worried whether or not trivialize Actions taken The judge ordered a $6,000 donation to the Center for Aid Against Sexual Assault in Trois-Rivières (CALACS).

Simon Hoole had a poor driving history in 2014.

It infuriates me

A close friend of the victim, who has known Simon Hoole for many years, said to himself got angry That the assailant has yet to receive a severe punishment. Everyone fell down […] He had none, surprisinglyHe drops it in an interview with Radio-Canada. The man requested anonymity so as not to identify the complainant, whose identity is prohibited.

We’re confused, we’re angry, we’re sad for the victim, and for all the victims, Camille Sosa publishes. CALACS Trois-Rivières. Such a decision is unfair to the victim because she is again defending the aggressor.

Crime Victim Support Center (CAVAC) believes that the judgment does not respect the spirit of the statement To rebuild trust considered Focus should be on the welfare of the victims. Coordinator Karine Gagnon fears such a decision could undermine victims’ confidence in the justice system. When the victim hears this matter […] It can brake [à ce qu’elle porte plainte].

news about Social status would be an aggressor Subtle and harmfulAccording to Suzanne Chakoor, a PhD student at the University of Oxford.

Accused grew up in a good family, he will benefit the society by becoming an engineer, so he is given conditional discharge.she says. However, if an accused comes from a very disadvantaged background or has a less prestigious occupation, he may not have this card to say, “My occupation is important and I cannot register a crime.”

Canimex uses Simon Hull with interest By judgment, according to Vice President of Human Resources Michael Goulet. The engineer is forced by his employer to telework and cannot participate in social activities with his colleagues.

The Director of Criminal and Criminal Prosecutions will announce in the coming days whether he will appeal the verdict.

Speaking to Radio-Canada, Simon Houle and his lawyer Pierre Spain declined to comment on the case.