A woman had a real nightmare this fall while waiting for the bus in Montreal’s east end. A man with mental health issues violently sexually assaulted her in the middle of the street. An “extremely serious” attack, according to the judge who refused to release the alleged assailant.
“You represent an obvious risk: if you regain your freedom, there is a danger for women. […] The circumstances are extremely dangerous. You attacked a complete stranger on the street, ”concluded Judge Erick Vanchestein last week at the end of the investigation into the release of Pierre Lafrance.
The 53-year-old Montrealer is charged with sexual assault causing bodily harm and assault on a woman, whose identity is protected by the court. Pierre Lafrance revealed to the police that he had “this kind of sexual urge 50 times” before taking action, said Crown prosecutor Me Charles Doucet during the hearing.
The account of the attack is particularly shocking. The young woman was waiting for the bus north of Maisonneuve Park, around 6 a.m., when Pierre Lafrance questioned her about her ethnic origin. Immediately, he grabs her by the throat and throws her to the ground. Then, the assailant grabs her breasts. She manages to flee, but her executioner catches her and pushes her against a vehicle, according to the version of the public prosecutor.
“While she is against a car, Lafrance puts her hand under her panties and touches her genitals while scratching her. Lafrance throws Madame to the ground. He takes Madame’s head with both hands and hits her against the ground several times. He drags the lady again and takes a shoe off her. Lafrance bites Madame’s two thighs. She managed to flee, ”summarized the Crown prosecutor, showing the judge photos of the victim’s injuries.
During his police interrogation, Pierre Lafrance largely corroborated this version. He said he met a young woman on the 39e Avenue and telling her he loved her before assaulting her, prosecutor Me Sweet.
Pierre Lafrance has suffered from schizophrenia for years. He has also been hospitalized 13 times at the Philippe-Pinel Forensic Psychiatry Institute since the 1980s. In her report, psychiatrist France Proulx notes that the accused felt like “kissing” with a woman this morning. there and that he acted “impulsively” by choosing the victim at random.
However, the psychiatrist did not conclude that the accused was not criminally responsible because of his mental disorder. “He seems to have developed a certain feeling of impunity,” she concluded. It is also not clear if Pierre Lafrance took his medication completely.
During his testimony in court, Pierre Lafrance raised his voice. “Stop being negative towards me! “, he thundered.
Not autonomous, Pierre Lafrance lived with his brother and his mother, who lost their autonomy, with whom he maintained a “fusional” relationship.
Judge Vanchestein refused to release Pierre Lafrance for two reasons, in particular that of public confidence. “The whole population would probably be worried to know that you have your provisional release at home when the evidence is strong,” he concluded.
The accused will be back in court next January.