For 30 years of his life, “Roland de Québec” was able to live “under the radar” and pursue his career as a “photographer of the stars” with impunity. Meanwhile, his victim felt trapped in a cage for three decades.
• Also read: The “star photographer” has made himself guilty a second time
• Also read: Indecent assault: “Roland of Quebec” found guilty
“My name is Martin Chouinard, I have nothing to blame myself for. »
One of the victims of Roland Lachance, the 90-year-old photographer who was twice convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager, gave a powerful testimony during the court hearing on Tuesday.
In the early 1990s, Martin Chouinard met “Roland de Québec” by accident while hitchhiking.
The attacker had quickly invited the 14-year-old teenager to take photos to build a modeling portfolio for him and then invited him to social events while making advances to him, resulting in about fifty sexual assaults by Fall ’93.
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glass prison
For 30 years of his life, Martin Chouinard tried to forget this story, despite a rage that dominated him. When a first victim filed a complaint against Roland Lachance in 2019, Mr. Chouinard decided to dive himself.
Roland Lachance, defendant
“Thanks to the other victim, it’s thanks to him that I’m here. That was the little kick I was missing,” said the 45-year-old before judge Thomas Jacques.
However, the process was very difficult for him, even to the point where he tried his life.
“Instead of great joy, there was great emptiness,” he said with great honesty. However, the family man recovered from this dark episode thanks to therapy and the love of his family. “There is a development, I see it,” he says.
The guilty verdict was also beneficial to his healing process. “The process gave me the certainty that I have nothing to blame myself,” he said.
“It was difficult, but it was worth it,” Mr. Chouinard added, urging victims of sexual assault to file a complaint, as he did.
“I have nothing to do with being ashamed, afraid,” he explains. With this in mind, he spontaneously asked the court to publish his name.
A publication ban prevented the media from revealing his identity, but the man wanted it lifted to mark the rupture of this “glass prison” in which he had felt locked up for 30 years.
Four years imprisonment requested
Prosecutor Michel Bérubé requested a 4-year prison sentence despite the defendant’s age because he believes he has been able to live “under the radar” since the events.
“He could live his whole life without society knowing about the heinous crimes he had committed,” argued Me Bérubé.
Roland Lachance’s attorney asked the judge for “moderation” and proposes a sentence of two years less a day, to be served in the community.
The judge will make his decision in September. The sentencing hearings for the defendant’s first trial will take place next week.