Sexual Exploitation: a six-year prison sentence for a riding instructor in the Laurentians

Photo Martin Alarie
Mario Roy

Claudia Berthiaume

Tuesday, 20 march, 2018 01:00

UPDATE
Tuesday, 20 march, 2018 01:00

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A coach riding in the Laurentians who has sexually exploited three young women by making them shimmer for a participation at the Olympics has been sentenced to six years in prison Monday.

“Manipulation [that he demonstrated] at the young girls who wanted to ride a horse is troubling,” said judge Bruno Leclerc, palais de justice de Saint-Jérôme.

As co-owner of an equestrian centre in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Mario Roy has abused its authority for long years, so that three teenagers sate his sexual desires.

He makes believe to his bridle that he could lead them to the olympic Games and that their horse would be better if he had an intimate relationship with them. He has even asked for pictures of them naked.

Under the pretext of a “special relationship” between a coach and his pupil was normal, the 64 year-old man forced kissing and sexual touching with its protected, in the years 2000 and 2010.

He also had intercourse with two of them in motels, a trailer or in the stable, so that they were between the ages of 14 and 16 years old.

At the end of his trial last summer, Roy has been declared guilty of 12 leaders from the sexual exploitation of minor sexual assault, including the production of child pornography.

Nine-year relationship

For one of the victims, who was in love with his coach, the relationship is forbidden has lasted nine years, leaving sequelae indelible to the young woman.

“Be in my skin, what is it ? It is to wake me in congratulating me on days when I’ve not done any nightmares of kidnapping, of murder, of humiliation, or to simply see, ” wrote the young wife in a letter which was read to the court last month.

The harm that has been caused to the victims (see examples below) is, moreover, impossible to repair, said the judge Leclerc in condemning Roy for six years in the penitentiary yesterday. He has always denied the facts.

Compared to Bertrand Charest

For judge Jones, it was ” manifest that the accused be kept away from society.” The sixties did not deserve a penalty as severe as the ex-ski coach Bertrand Charest, who has been compared by the lawyers. Charest has been sentenced to 12 years in prison last December.

“The accused [Roy] was in a whole other level [of competition less important], even though he was offered the opportunity of the Olympics to the naive young girls that it caused,” noted the magistrate.

Mario Roy was in shock, taking the path of the cell, said his lawyer Olivier Morin.

What they have said

“In my couple’s life, it is full of flash-back and discomfort for me. It is also an atmosphere of doubt. I doubt constantly from my partner. I’m afraid I do handle it, afraid I will make a lie. “–1st victim who has suffered serious assaults for nine years

“My dream horse was real. It is now gone. In spite of all the offers I’ve received to go horse riding again, I am unable to. All are good excuses for not getting back into it. “ –1st victim who has suffered serious assaults for nine years

“You made me jump stages in [the] normal route that a teenager should be living, you’re entered to force in my secret garden. “ –2nd victim of 16 years old during the crimes

“Why didn’t I say no ? Why I have not removed her hand ? Because I was already trapped. I had to let him do it. I would remove my horse for it. “ –3rd victim of inappropriate touching