Joël Lefebvre

The accused, charged with sexual offences against a minor, applied to adjourn the trial to allow his counsel to participate in a murder trial in another jurisdiction.

The accused offered to waive his section 11(b) Charter rights for the delay.

The Crown opposed the adjournment, citing the negative impact on the young complainant and the public interest in a prompt trial.

The court dismissed the application, finding that the delay would cause significant prejudice to the complainant and that the accused's right to make full answer and defence would not be compromised by proceeding as scheduled.

Devin Langlois was charged with sexual assault and sexual interference involving a 15-year-old complainant (C.S.).

The court found C.S.'s testimony regarding consent unreliable due to inconsistencies, leading to reasonable doubt on the issue of actual consent.

However, the court proceeded to analyze the defence of mistake of age under s. 150.1(4) of the Criminal Code.

Despite the accused's claim of believing C.S. was 18, the court identified numerous "red flags" (e.g., lack of age/schooling information, C.S.'s immaturity, no driver's license) that should have prompted further inquiry.

The court concluded that the accused failed to take all reasonable steps to ascertain C.S.'s age and was therefore reckless or wilfully blind regarding her underage status.

Consequently, the defence of mistake of age was negated, and Mr. Langlois was found guilty of both sexual assault and sexual interference.

Détermination de la peine pour une agression sexuelle commise contre la fille adulte, mais vulnérable sur le plan intellectuel, de la conjointe de fait du contrevenant.

Le tribunal a mis l’accent sur la dénonciation et la dissuasion en matière d’infractions sexuelles visant une victime vulnérable, tout en tenant compte des limites cognitives, de l’absence d’antécédents judiciaires et de la situation personnelle difficile du contrevenant.

La cour a conclu qu’une peine carcérale était nécessaire et a imposé 12 mois d’emprisonnement, en plus du crédit pour détention préventive, suivis de 24 mois de probation et d’ordonnances accessoires.