A 64-year-old man from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield admitted on Wednesday to having sexually assaulted a 9-year-old deaf girl. He attacked her while she was watching cartoons. He now faces prison for his crimes.
Marcel Gagnon pleaded guilty Wednesday at the Montreal courthouse to two counts of sexual contact with a minor under 14 and incitement to sexual contact with a minor. The events occurred in the 1990s in Montreal.
Sitting in the front row, surrounded by her loved ones, the victim had difficulty holding back her tears when her attacker finally admitted his guilt, approximately 25 years after the events. A sign language translator translated in real time all the comments made in the courtroom.
A court order protects the victim’s identity.
According to the summary of the facts presented in court, Marcel Gagnon took advantage of moments alone with the 9-year-old victim to attack her. He was then part of the child’s entourage. At the time, the girl was attending a special school to learn to speak and read lips.
The first time, Marcel Gagnon asked the victim to touch his penis, while they were both taking a shower. During the second event, the girl was watching cartoons on television when Marcel Gagnon touched her genitals for two minutes.
As soon as he finished the attack, the pedophile got on his knees to ask his victim for forgiveness. He then made her promise not to tell her parents. She never saw him again.
The sentencing observations were reported in the winter in order to prepare a pre-sentence report.
Me Karine Lagacé-Paquette represents the public prosecutor, while Me Martine Thibodeau defends the offender.