A sexual attacker who attacked a passer-by by attacking her with an iron bar in the street finally received two years less a day of incarceration, despite his pleas for a sentence at home.
“He is afraid of being imprisoned because he is the only provider for his family. But the risk of recidivism is not negligible, especially since he remains unable to say why he committed the attack,” commented Judge Karine Giguère, just before sentencing Gurpreet Singh Bajwa, this Wednesday at the palace. of justice of Montreal.
Bajwa, a 37-year-old truck driver, committed his crime in May 2021, in an industrial sector of Dorval.
Free attack
That night, to satisfy his sexual urges, he targeted a woman who had finished work and was on her way to the bus stop. Without warning, the sexual attacker approached her and began to beat her with an iron bar in the face.
Once the woman was restrained, Bajwa then began sexually assaulting the woman, who begged him to stop. She then began to pray, which prompted the accused to stop the attack and leave the scene.
“He is a person who is used to prostitutes, he thought that the victim was one,” commented the judge, relying on reports which give the beginning of an explanation of his motivations.
Except that even though he believed she was a prostitute, Bajwa never tried to ask her her prices. And even if he was, his actions would still have been criminal.
All we know is that at the time, Bajwa was a truck driver and he was experiencing stress. He had frequented chat rooms to talk about sex, and he consumed pornography.
“He managed to hide these activities from his wife and children by living a double life,” explained the judge, adding that he had since undergone several therapies.
Despite everything, he remains unable to explain his actions. Worse still, he continues to minimize his actions, according to a probation officer’s report.
Victim demolished
The victim, for her part, was lastingly affected by this event which she had described as “the worst day of [sa] life”.
“In addition to the physical injuries, she experienced a psychological shock, she lost her joy of living, her self-esteem collapsed, she cannot get through what happened,” said the magistrate. .
The woman has since left Montreal.
“She always believed that it was a safe city,” added the judge.
Thus, even if Bajwa had collaborated with the police, pleaded guilty and expressed empathy towards the victim, it was inconceivable for the judge that he would serve his sentence at home as suggested by Mr.e Maxime Raymond of the defense.
On the other hand, the three and a half years in penitentiary that Mr.e Jérôme Laflamme’s prosecution was exaggerated in the circumstances, added the judge.
Bajwa was therefore sentenced to two years less a day of incarceration, followed by two years’ probation during which he will not be able to approach the victim. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for the next 20 years.