A celebrated Quebec author is in legal trouble – again.
Maxime Roussy, 37, is facing charges in connection with luring a young girl over the internet and sexually abusing her.
He was arrested again this week at his home in the Saguenay after allegedly trying to contact the victim just as she was about to take the stand against him, a violation of his bail conditions.
Roussy was arrested in 2011 after a teenage girl came forward with a story that he sexually exploited her when she was 12. The abuse allegedly carried on from 2006 to 2010.
He has been charged with six counts of sexual assault, including internet luring and sexual interference with a minor.
Roussy is a literary success story in Quebec – his youth-oriented novels have sold hundreds of thousands of copies each, and the author draws huge crowds during book-signing events such as Montreal’s Salon du livre.
His arrest came as the court was to begin his preliminary hearing, which is meant to determine if the case is strong enough to go to trial.
The defence, represented by Isabel Sherman, wanted an immediate bail hearing, so Roussy could be with his family for Christmas.
The judge refused, saying his priority was the scheduled preliminary hearing.
Wednesday morning, the young woman, who's now 19, took the stand in a Montreal courtroom to tell her side of the story.
Her testimony is covered by a publication ban.
Roussy's family was in the courtroom as she testified.
The defence says it plans to prove their client is the real victim, and that nothing ever happened.
