Pastor Claude Guillot chose not to appeal his eight-year prison sentence for physically and psychologically “dismembering” five boys who were boarders at his secret religious school.
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The 72-year-old man’s decision was confirmed to Radio-Canada on Monday by his attorney, Me Susan Corriveau, who declined to comment on the reasons leading to the decision.
Guillot was sentenced to this lengthy prison sentence on December 1 after a trial that lasted seven years. The man had been convicted of 18 of the 22 charges against him, including assault, incarceration and molestation.
Severe Abuse
Claude Guillot ran a secret school in his home, where he was entrusted with boys. Beatings with wooden pallets, deprivation of food or water and being left standing for several days were the order of the day in this house of horrors.
Corporal punishment and psychological abuse marked the five victims’ transition into manhood, years that left them badly scarred.
In his decision, Judge Christian Boulet underscored the defendant’s “very high” responsibility, adding that he had planned his behavior in order to “break these children”.
The Crown called for up to 15 years’ imprisonment, while the defense believed the sentence was just three years.
The civil succession
This decision ends the criminal case, but it’s not the end for Guillot’s victims. Civil lawsuits have been filed, including a class action lawsuit against multiple victims and an individual lawsuit brought by Josh Seanosky. The latter is demanding $5.4 million from the pastor, some of his relatives and Baptist organizations.