WARNING: This story refers to sexual assault allegations and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
Canadian billionaire Frank Stronach won’t be serving any jail time for his indecent assault conviction, according to a ruling from an Ontario judge on Thursday.
Ontario Crown prosecutors had requested that the 94-year-old founder of auto-parts giant Magna International be sentenced to six months behind bars for that conviction.
However, at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy stated she hadn’t finalized her sentence yet but confirmed that jail time wouldn’t be part of it.
Molloy expressed she had “very firmly” decided that considering the circumstances, she wouldn’t sentence a 94-year-old to prison. The court will reconvene on Dec. 11 to deliver that decision.
Assistant Crown attorney Jelena Vlacic also requested a Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA) order and for Stronach to be added to Canada’s National Sex Offender Registry for ten years.
Molloy inquired what Vlacic would deem a reasonable conditional sentence for Stronach. Vlacic suggested six months of house arrest with allowances for medical appointments and court appearances.
When his trial began in February in a Toronto courtroom, Stronach was facing twelve charges linked to allegations of sexual assault from seven women dating back almost fifty years.
But during his sentencing hearing on Thursday, he is now facing sentencing solely on one charge – indecent assault.
Leora Shemesh countered that rather than jail time; her client should receive an absolute discharge – meaning while he’d still have a guilty finding against him no criminal record would register. Although this finding would show up during background checks it’s only valid for one year. This legal representative also argued against registering Stronach as a sex offender. Shemesh listed several accomplishments made by Stronach throughout his life emphasizing until these charges arose he had no previous legal issues whatsoever. The lawyer noted how only one charge remained out of initially twelve faced by him claiming indecent assault falls “at least serious end” within spectrum concerning sexual misconduct. “The Crown’s position seems excessively harsh,.. unreasonable; frankly un-Canadian,” Shemesh asserted mentioning honors taken away stripped names from various centers dragging him through mud causing enough suffering already. Molloy presided over trials involving attempted rape alongside indecent assault regarding specific incidents brought forth earlier yet later dropped after witness credibility concerns arose surrounding whether or not actual penetration might’ve occurred given state attire present then too.. Praising significant evidence described by witnesses supported guilt findings rendering offenses termed grossly inappropriate conducted done hence creating historical offense repealed within Criminal Code back into ‘83 although similar modern-day cases receive charges classified differently under sexual assaults regulations instead!
Court hears victim impact statement
In relation to this charge, one woman recounted how Stronach invited her to an apartment in midtown Toronto sometime in fall 1977. While there, he bent her over a chair, lifted her skirt, and attempted to rape her. During her victim impact statement on Thursday, the woman told the court she felt ambushed and overpowered by Stronach and that her physical privacy was violated without consent. The woman, whose identity remains protected by a court-ordered publication ban, stated the assault shattered her sense of safety in social situations and that feelings of apprehension continue today. “I felt that I deserved an apology. I was upset when none was forthcoming,” she shared with the court. “The impact of an assault is not limited to the physical. It can also jolt one’s identity and personality,” she explained. “Recovering one’s comfort with people requires time and resilience, and it may never be complete.”Crown, defence make submissions
Vlacic argued from the Crown’s side that while time has passed since the assault occurred is something worth noting, accountability must still apply regarding one’s actions. She mentioned those found guilty should face consequences; failing this would encourage people to evade responsibility and harm public trust in justice. On behalf of Stronach’s defense team,Leora Shemesh countered that rather than jail time; her client should receive an absolute discharge – meaning while he’d still have a guilty finding against him no criminal record would register. Although this finding would show up during background checks it’s only valid for one year. This legal representative also argued against registering Stronach as a sex offender. Shemesh listed several accomplishments made by Stronach throughout his life emphasizing until these charges arose he had no previous legal issues whatsoever. The lawyer noted how only one charge remained out of initially twelve faced by him claiming indecent assault falls “at least serious end” within spectrum concerning sexual misconduct. “The Crown’s position seems excessively harsh,.. unreasonable; frankly un-Canadian,” Shemesh asserted mentioning honors taken away stripped names from various centers dragging him through mud causing enough suffering already. Molloy presided over trials involving attempted rape alongside indecent assault regarding specific incidents brought forth earlier yet later dropped after witness credibility concerns arose surrounding whether or not actual penetration might’ve occurred given state attire present then too.. Praising significant evidence described by witnesses supported guilt findings rendering offenses termed grossly inappropriate conducted done hence creating historical offense repealed within Criminal Code back into ‘83 although similar modern-day cases receive charges classified differently under sexual assaults regulations instead!
