A dwelling in east Montreal has been the scene of horror during the pandemic. A pedophile has put four girls through hell by sexually assaulting them in front of each other countless times. A “terrible” story, according to the judge, who plans to sentence Elzefar McGurk to 15 years in prison.
” For what ? Why do that to an innocent little girl? “, whispered the mother of one of the victims, in a heartbreaking testimony Monday morning at the Montreal courthouse. “She got her innocence taken. She is only 8 years old! It’s still a baby. But your little game over, you will stay in prison for a very long time, ”launched the mother, demolished by the suffering of her daughter.
The crimes committed by Elzefar McGurk are “particularly sordid”, summed up the Crown prosecutor, Mr.e Jérôme Laflamme, presenting the common suggestion: a “significant” sentence of 15 years in prison and a long-term offender label, accompanied by a five-year supervision period. His risk of recurrence is “high”, according to experts.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The Crown prosecutor, Mr.e Jerome Laflamme
The 28-year-old Montrealer pleaded guilty last year to numerous charges, including sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching of minors, and production and possession of child pornography. His victims were between 5 and 8 years old at the time of the events in 2021 and 2022. A court order protects the identity of the victims. Because of this order, we cannot explain why these children were in the accused’s apartment.
Without going into the most sordid details of the attacks, Elzefar McGurk received oral sex from children and was masturbated by them. Often, other girls witnessed the attacks. The predator was also viewing child pornography with his victims.
These assaults occurred so often that the accused “lost count”.
Child pornography
Elzefar McGurk also had a collection of child pornography, including a dozen videos shot at his home. On these, the investigator recognized two of the four victims.
“There are videos where Monsieur penetrates the child. Another video, there is sexual activity taking place, we notice a baby next to it, ”recounted Me Laflamme last May.
In the courtroom, Elzefar McGurk vigorously denied having attacked a victim in this way. “I will prove it,” replied the prosecutor.
At the conclusion of this hearing, the pedophile said he “sincerely” regretted his actions. “I have a lot of regrets, I feel a lot of guilt. »
During his bail hearing, Elzefar McGurk seemed to partly blame his drinking problem and his “not complete and satisfying sex life with his partner” for his actions. “I want to change, I want to fix,” he said.
“Mister suffers from Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and other syndromes such as autism”, had mentioned his lawyer, Me Marie-Hélène Giroux, last year.
On Monday, Elzefar McGurk didn’t say a word, staring at the floor for the entire hearing.
If Elzefar McGurk was caught, it was thanks to the courage of a neighborhood teenager who alerted the mothers of the victims after having received the confidence of one of the girls. The teenager then feared to be killed by the accused when he left prison.
Also, Elzefar McGurk attacked his mother out of pure revenge. In February 2021, he called 911, saying his mother pointed a 9mm pistol at him and his family. The Tactical Intervention Group had landed at her mother’s home, flabbergasted. He was eventually convicted of mischief for leading the police to launch an investigation.
The judge will render his decision on May 8. But already, he seemed inclined to endorse the joint suggestion of the lawyers.