A Quebec driver of adapted transport has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for sexually assaulting a vulnerable passenger with intellectual disabilities and autism. The court highlighted the significant abuse of trust, as the driver had built a relationship with the victim. Despite his guilty plea, he attempted to withdraw it, which was denied. Following his prison term, Lachance will face two years of probation, though he was not required to register as a sex offender.
Driver Sentenced for Assaulting Vulnerable Passenger
In a distressing case from Quebec, a driver of adapted transport has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for sexually assaulting a passenger with intellectual disabilities and autism. Upon resuming his duties, he was escorted with handcuffs, heading to a detention facility.
Yves Lachance had hoped for a community sentence; however, the judge ruled against him, emphasizing the severity of the crime. The victim, a woman in her forties, was unable to comprehend the sexual nature of the actions taken against her due to her mental capacity being equivalent to that of a 10-year-old child.
Exploitation of Trust and Misjudgment
Over a span of 12 to 18 months, Lachance committed multiple acts of sexual touching against the victim, both over and under her clothing. His actions included inappropriate touching and attempts to demonstrate sexual behavior. The court highlighted the significant abuse of trust, as Lachance had established a relationship with the victim based on shared interests, such as music, which made her see him as an idol.
Judge René de la Sablonnière noted that Lachance’s perception of the victim’s feelings might have been clouded by this trust. Interestingly, the judge chose not to require Lachance to register as a sex offender, despite the Crown’s request for a 20-year registration. He argued that the accused’s actions stemmed from a misjudgment rather than a clear sexual deviation, stating that registration would have an excessively harsh impact on Lachance’s life.
Initially, Lachance pleaded guilty at the trial’s start but later sought to withdraw his plea. However, this request was denied, which diminished the value of his admission of guilt. The prosecution had pushed for a three-year sentence, while the defense argued for an 18-month community sentence, maintaining that the victim was always happy to see Lachance even after the incidents. Following his prison term, Lachance will be under probation for two years.