A Montrealer who falsely posed as a police officer to sexually assault sex workers has been sentenced to eight years in prison, during which time he must develop some compassion for the victims.
• Also read: Fake cop, but real serial killer
• Also read: Arrest of a suspected serial sex offender: The SPVM is looking for other potential victims
“The victims were chosen because of their profession. It is known that sex workers are particularly vulnerable. It is not an isolated gesture, but many gestures perpetrated on four victims over a period of six months,” Judge Yves Paradis recalled at the sentencing of Mohamad Abdool Koheeallee this Tuesday at the Montreal courthouse.
However, the 38-year-old defendant was hoping for a lighter sentence as he continues to find excuses for his crimes committed over a six-month period as of the summer of 2019.
At that time, newly separated, Koheeallee had it in his head to use sexual services, but without paying for it. And to do that, he had devised a plan whereby he posed as a police officer and threatened sex workers with arrest if they didn’t act on his impulses.
traumatized
In all, he had four victims.
“Events have passed [l’une d’elles] with real trauma, the judge noted. [Une autre] felt humiliated at having fallen into her trap […]his life was completely shattered.
The latter was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease, another victim was so anxious that she didn’t want to walk around town alone, while the fourth victim now has trouble trusting others.
“During that time, he showed no compassion or consideration for these women,” the judge lamented.
And even now, the sex offender seems to have made little headway.
“While Mr. Koheeallee’s criminal facts are acknowledged, they are drowned out in a rhetorical and intellectual elaboration that leaves very little room for introspection and self-criticism,” the judge noted.
No indulgence
Therefore, while the risk of recidivism is relatively low, letting him get away with five years in prison, as demanded by his lawyer, Marie-Hélène Giroux, was out of the question.
Recalling that Koheeallee had carefully selected vulnerable women to manipulate, the judge decided instead to follow the recommendation of the Crown’s Me Anna Levin and sentence the bogus police officer to eight years in prison. He will also be on the sex offender registry for the next 20 years.
“It sends the message to victims that they can do it, even if they’re afraid of reporting it,” Me Levin commented. Here it resulted in a conviction and a very severe sentence.”
Can you share information about this story with us?
Write to us or call us directly at 1-800-63SCOOP.