A man who assaulted eight spouses over time has been jailed for five years for punching and strangling his last girlfriend in front of his children, and will then have to wear a bonding bracelet while on probation.
“He expresses remorse and regret, but it is difficult to measure the sincerity since the accused is a repeat offender in matters of domestic violence. I cannot exclude that this my culpa either […] to obtain leniency from the court, ”recognized Judge Ann-Mary Beauchemin on Wednesday.
Raymond Champagne was then sentenced to five years in prison, he who had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault endangering the life of his spouse and to death threats at the Saint-Hyacinthe courthouse.
In front of his children
In January 2021, his victim “really believed that she was going to strangle to death in front of her own children”, reported the judge. The woman’s identity is protected by a publication ban.
During dinner with a couple of friends, Champagne, who was very intoxicated, began to be aggressive and violent. Around 9:30 p.m., the guests decided to leave the home in Saint-Damase, Montérégie.
The 46-year-old repeat offender continued to attack his spouse by insulting and hitting her.
“He throws her on the ground and tries to strangle her. He grabs her by the throat, gets her out of bed and drags her into the kitchen. […] He uses both hands by squeezing her neck to strangle her, telling her that he is capable of killing her, adding words like: “how long do you want me to let you live?”, summed up the magistrate.
Horrible
Completely drunk, Champagne vomited before falling asleep on the living room floor. It was then that his wife managed to call for help. When they arrived, the police noticed that she had several rashes all over her body.
The victim, who had just moved in with her then-lover, told the court about the scars that these “horrible and catastrophic” events left on her life.
“She waited months for help from IVAC to support her and her daughters – aged 3 and 8 at the time of the incident – did not have access to it. She had to stop working for a year and a half. She calls post-traumatic stress […] roller coaster of difficult emotions, rage, guilt, sleep disturbances, ”listed Judge Beauchemin.
Raymond Champagne has a heavy criminal past. Since he was 18, he has assaulted or mistreated no less than eight spouses and repeatedly breached his probation conditions.
“This shows a history of disregard for the safety of those close to him,” said the magistrate.
Not a long term offender
Me Isabelle Morin, Crown prosecutor, had also requested an expertise to determine whether the man could inherit the unenviable label of dangerous or controlled offender. In his assessment report, however, the psychiatrist did not consider that he met the criteria.
Considering the preventive detention, he has 18 months left to serve to date. Upon leaving the penitentiary, Champagne will have to wear an anti-reconciliation bracelet during his three-year probation and will not be able to approach his ex-spouse within five kilometers.
“Upon his release, he will be assessed and will have to wear the bracelet as long as the probation officer requires it,” explained Mr.e Isabel Morin.