Former clown admits to sexually assaulting more victims

Warning: This article contains details of sexual assault. 

A former clown, who worked at children’s parties, has admitted in Quebec Superior Court to having more sexual assault victims.

Julien Bouchard, 65, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of two young girls at the Longueuil courthouse on Thursday.

He previously spent six months in jail for sexually assaulting three children, not included in the current case.

The two young girls were sisters between the ages of six and 10. The incidents took place in the late 1990s in St-Bruno-de-Montarville.

Crown prosecutor Bruno Deslauriers said Bouchard was dating the children’s mother.

“It's because of this relationship that he had access to those two victims because he was frequently present there at their house, and he was also present for bedtime,” said Deslauriers.

The court heard Bouchard touched the victims breasts and genitals while they were in bed.

Deslauriers said it was repetitive. He estimates it happened up to 10 times, over a period of six months.

“It was over and under the clothing of the victims. It's hard to put a precise number on the events because they were very young at the time,” said Deslauriers.

According to the crown, the girls did not have a paternal figure in their life and quickly grew close to Bouchard. The former clown was known to be funny and kind with the children. When the girls told their mother about what was happening, she told them it was their fault, and gave Bouchard another chance.

“For now, what I can tell you is that obviously it had a profound effect on them,” said Deslauriers.

The case is expected back in court May 1. Bouchard remains free on bail.