Matanese entrepreneur Jacques Dumont was convicted of sexual assault for actions that took place in 1989.
His co -accused, who was a minor at the time, was also found guilty at hearings held at the Rimouski courthouse.
Judge Jules Berthelot did not believe the co -defendant’s version of events and he challenged the reliability of his testimony, which he said contradicted the evidence.
On the contrary, the judge described the victim’s testimony as credible and reliable, despite some contradictions. He treats them as honest mistakes.
For his part, Jacques Dumont refused to testify at his trial, which took place in February in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.
The representative of the public prosecutor’s office, Me Jérôme Simard, hopes the verdict handed down on Friday will convince victims of sexual assault to file a complaint.
” Although the facts began a few years, you have to understand that at the level of investigation, of course, it is a bit more complicated, but it remains that justice can be done, even if the events had place 20, 30, 40 years ago. “
Jacques Dumont almost attended the New Carlisle prison hearings. He is serving a 20-month sentence there in cases of sexual assault and voyeurism.
The businessman was also sentenced in March to 12 months in prison after being convicted in October of perjury.
The defense attorney, Me Caroline Bérubé, says she wants to review the reasons for Judge Berthelot’s judgment before indicating whether her clients intend to appeal her decision.
The Matanese businessman and his co-defendant will return to court on July 15 at the Rimouski courthouse. The identity of both the accused and the victim is subject to a publication ban.
Source: Radio-Canada
