Ousted Rep. Harold LeBel’s “sincere regret” and introspection during his 8-week incarceration eventually earned him his release from prison, despite an 8-month prison sentence last January.
“They express sincere regret and show empathy towards the victim. In detention, you have shown yourself repentant,” states the Quebec Commission on Conditional Liberation in its recent ruling on the former MP.
LeBel, 60, no longer denies committing a sexual assault on a young woman in October 2017.
SCREENSHOT / VAT NEWS / QMI AGENCY
While harboring her at his home as she walked through Rimouski, LeBel kissed her and undid her bra. Then, while she lay in bed, the ousted congressman joined her on the Murphy bed to touch and caress her before inserting a finger into her anus.
“It was absolutely endless. […] I told myself that he would stop, that he would fall asleep, but it kept going,” the woman testified before the jury.
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approval
LeBel had always denied the offense, but his time behind bars appears to have been an eye-opener.
“You say you completely believe the victim’s version and want to understand how you came to be doing these things, we can read in the decision. You say that you read the victim’s testimony regularly and that it shocks you to the core. They admit to being too intrusive towards the victim. »
LeBel then explained to the commissioners that he was consuming alcohol and “didn’t handle the situation well,” while saying he was aware of the impact on the victim, whom he respected immensely.
“You acted without regard for the victim, who did not show consent to the actions you took,” the commission replied. You forced yourself on her and defied her will. »
fear of rejection
LeBel went on to explain that behind his confidence in his work, on a personal level, lies “a state of fatigue” with drinking as an “exhaust” for his problems.
“Fear of abandonment, rejection, disappointment, but also loneliness are recurring themes in your speech,” said the curators.
However, since LeBel appears to have made progress and reports about him are “unanimously positive,” the commission granted him the right to leave prison to further his social reintegration. On the other hand, he has to live in a transitional home and undergo therapy.
And since alcohol apparently played a role in the sexual assault he committed, he is banned from drinking it. He also has to refrain from any contact with the victim, who cannot be identified by order of the court.
For the slightest violation, he could be immediately returned to prison.