Montreal man sentenced to probation for criminal harassment of Eugenie Bouchard's sister
A 43-year-old Montreal man was sentenced to two years probation Thursday after he was found guilty, last June, of criminal harassment against Instagram sensation Charlotte Bouchard, the sister of tennis star Eugenie Bouchard.
Within a period of a few months in 2017, Danny Arsenault sent thousands of messages to the young woman, despite her attempts to block him. The Instagram messages ranged from obsessive love notes to vulgar and sexual and even violent, in some cases.
Bouchard, who has 94,000 Instagram followers, testified during the trial that Arsenault’s obsession led her to fear for her safety.
She said she became afraid of strangers when she went out, not knowing if she’d find herself face-to-face with Arsenault.
Arsenault, who refused to be represented by a lawyer, has a history of mental health problems. A court-appointed psychologist said he suffered from cognitive distortions and is unable to take responsibility for his actions or show any empathy for his victim.
Experts also said his psychological state was further affected by his heavy use of cannabis. During the trial, he said it was up to Bouchard to close her social media accounts.
Quebec Court Justice Sylvie Kovacevich even said that Arsenault was incapable of any self-criticism.
"The anonymity of social media allows people to assume that it’s okay to be abusive and inappropriate. But that’s not the case," concluded the judge.
Arsenault testified during the sentencing hearing that he felt he did not have psychological issues, but he agreed to see a psychologist, providing the court found one and paid for it. The judge said he’d have to talk to his probation agent about such details.
Arsenault also bemoaned the fact he was no longer allowed to use a cellphone as part of his bail conditions. He denied he was at a high risk of reoffending and argued for an unconditional discharge, which would have spared him a criminal record.
“Ms. Bouchard is not in danger,” he said. “I’m not angry at her anymore, and I’m no longer against the judicial system. I’m perfectly sane. I’m not the paranoid schizophrenic misogynist I’ve been described [as].”
He blamed the media for blowing his case out of proportion, while repeatedly raising his voice and interrupting the judge.
“I don’t know if you see a sick man in me, but I don’t,” Arsenault told the court.
The judge rejected his call for an unconditional discharge and sentenced him instead to two years of probation.
During that time he must keep the peace, stay off social media, perform 100 hours of community work, and stay away from Charlotte Bouchard and all the members of her family, including her sister Eugenie.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.