FREDERIC SERRE
The 1019 Report

A criminal court judge is praising the courage of a Vaudreuil-Soulanges child whose testimony on Aug. 22 resulted in the conviction of a former resident of Les Cèdres for assault, criminal harassment and voyeurism.

The man was sentenced to 12 months of house arrest. Among the conditions of his sentence, the man is forbidden from leaving New Brunswick, where he currently lives.

Valleyfield Court Judge Marie-Chantal Doucet applauded the child and her testimony, adding that it was important for her healing process to face her abuser in a court of law and to let him know the harm he had done to her.

A publication ban forbids the identification and age of the victim, but her aggressor was identified as Clairmont Ouellet, who lived in Les Cèdres when the offences occurred. The publication ban prohibits mention of when the crimes were committed.

At the time of the incidents, Ouellet was in a position of authority over the victim, who was a minor.

Ouellet was in court last month as the victim described years of molestation at the hands of her abuser. In addition to suffering from depression, the victim described dealing with an anxiety disorder on a daily basis.