Eight-Year Prison Term for Horrific Sexual Assault on Elderly Montreal Woman
A 44-year-old St-Laurent resident has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the brutal sexual assault of an 84-year-old woman in her Côte-St-Luc home. Van Giau Do pleaded guilty to breaking and entering with intent to commit sexual assault in a case that Quebec Court Judge Thierry Nadon described as "a veritable scene from a horror movie."
Judge Emphasizes Denunciation and Protection
Judge Nadon stated that denunciation, dissuasion, and protecting society were the paramount considerations in determining the sentence. He agreed with prosecutor Anna Levine's recommendation, emphasizing that such conduct "will simply not be tolerated." The judge quoted a previous appellate court decision, noting that potential victims must be assured of legal protection, while offenders must understand they will face "the firm hand of the law."
Disturbing Details of the Attack
According to court documents, the assault occurred on December 14 last year. The victim was watching television in her home when she went to her basement during a commercial break to tend to laundry. As she prepared to return upstairs, she encountered Do standing in her home nude from the waist down, wearing only a winter jacket.
The woman, who was not wearing her hearing aids at the time, asked Do how he had entered her home. He responded by threatening to rape her and pushing her against a wall when she attempted to call 911. Do then forced the woman into her bedroom, where he sexually assaulted her. When she tried to flee, he slapped her multiple times and punched her in the neck.
Escape and Arrest
After the assault, Do began disconnecting telephone landlines in the home. The victim seized this opportunity to escape barefoot in her pyjamas, finding safety at a neighbour's residence. Montreal police responded promptly, entering the home to secure the crime scene and spotting Do as he fled through the backyard. He was arrested immediately.
Investigators determined that Do had entered through a broken basement window. The victim's inability to hear his entry due to not wearing her hearing aids likely contributed to the suddenness of the attack.
Previous Criminal History and Mitigating Factors
During his guilty plea on February 6, Do claimed he was under the influence of crystal methamphetamine at the time of the crimes. His defence lawyer, Louis Peter Morena, argued that this drug use should serve as a mitigating factor, suggesting a 30-month prison term instead.
However, the court noted Do's significant criminal record, which includes previous sexual assault convictions. In 2018, he pleaded guilty to sexual assault at the Montreal courthouse and received a five-month prison sentence along with a 20-year placement on Canada's sex offender registry. Earlier that same year, he pleaded guilty to another sexual assault in Kuujjuaq, resulting in a four-year prison term.
Victim Impact Statement
A written statement from the victim was read aloud in court during the plea hearing. She expressed gratitude for being alive but described living in constant fear, "constantly looking over my shoulder" since the traumatic event. The emotional toll on the elderly victim highlights the profound consequences of such violent crimes.
The eight-year sentence reflects the severity of the offense and the need to protect vulnerable members of society from predatory behavior. This case underscores the judicial system's commitment to holding offenders accountable for crimes against elderly victims.
