A man who sexually abused a young girl multiple times has been sentenced to 6 years in prison. Daniel Laferrière's crimes had devastating consequences for the girl and her family, who continue to struggle to recover years later.
Posted at 3:57 p.m.
“So much so the mere existence of the aftermath […] that its considerable size is here very well documented, supported and convincing,” explained Judge Ann-Mary Beauchemin, emphasizing the concepts of “existence” and “size” in her judgment delivered last Friday at the Longueuil courthouse. The judge even mentions “indelible” marks on the victim.
Post-traumatic shock, self-harm, hypervigilance, insomnia, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, etc. There is no need to explain that the young victim was branded by what Daniel Laferrière suffered. The teenager is just starting to get back on her feet, but her condition remains fragile.
The 49-year-old Brossard resident was found guilty last July of sexual harassment, incitement to sexual contact and sexual assault. He has now lodged an appeal against the verdict. His victim, whose identity is protected, was a little girl from his environment.
At the time, Daniel Laferrière occasionally babysat the victim. He then took the opportunity to attack her. He made sexual gestures about ten times. In particular, he touched the child's genitals and forced her to touch his penis. They also watched pornography.
“It was not an isolated act, but rather repeated and relatively frequent sexual abuse, extending over a period of at least a year, if not longer, when the victim was only 10 or 11 years old,” Judge Beauchemin argued .
Daniel Laferrière, a former machinist, shows no remorse. In fact, he still maintains his innocence. Judge Beauchemin concluded at the end of the trial that her explanations were neither reliable, plausible nor probable. The victim was “credible, transparent, open and honest,” said the judge.
The Crown asked for seven years in prison, while the defense hoped for four years. The judge ultimately decided with a prison sentence of 6 years.
In the absence of an expert opinion, the judge considers that the risk of recurrence remains “possible, even probable”. In addition, about ten aggravating factors are taken into account: psychological manipulation, young age and vulnerability of the victim, intrusive gestures, etc. Apart from the lack of previous history, there are few mitigating factors.
“Older offenders who exploit children by abusing them to satisfy their basic sexual instincts must be punished appropriately,” the judge said, recalling the teachings of the Supreme Court. In the Friesen decision, the court increased penalties for crimes against children.
Me François Parent represented the prosecutor, while Me Rémy Cournoyer-Quintal defended the defendant.