“When I was given the background, I felt like I had the phone book,” said Judge Michel Boudreault while pronouncing the sentence. 42 pages! That’s impressive. I didn’t look at the offences. It’s the entire Criminal Code that’s there.”
On February 6, the 42-year-old individual became angry because he was refused entry into the accommodation building. Disorganized and aggressive, he was throwing objects. The crisis had started in the morning. The police came to pick him up around noon. He then made threatening comments to a series of people.
It was outside the new homeless shelter in Chicoutimi that Michael Thériault was violent towards several workers. (Jeannot Lévesque/Archives Le Quotidien)
In the threats made against community resource workers, police officers and paramedics, Thériault targeted victims by telling them he wanted to “break their teeth” and “throw handcuffs in their teeth”.
He also verbalized his intention to hit them. In one instance, he told a worker, “Next time I come back here, you’re going to be six feet under.”
While trying to restrain him on a stretcher, Thériault also kicked an officer. He pleaded guilty to nine counts of threats, assault and mischief on a telephone.
“The world everywhere is afraid of walking on the street”
Thériault’s case prompted some thought from Judge Boudreault, particularly regarding respect for the new homeless shelter in Chicoutimi, its staff and the tranquility of the city centre.
“If we let this go, I don’t know what will happen on Racine Street. People everywhere are afraid to walk on the street.”
— Judge Michel Boudreault
Thériault’s criminal journey also challenged the magistrate who declared that he had lost confidence in him. “You are beyond redemption. It’s time to take responsibility for your behavior and actions. Drugs are a dangerous cocktail.”
Judge Michel Boudreault presented the individual’s thick criminal record to the court. (Jeannot Lévesque/Archives Le Quotidien)
The man is in prison for a period equivalent to 39 days. The defence suggested that the court declare that the time served has already been served. Thériault plans to return to school and not return to Chicoutimi. He is counting on accommodation at the Sherbrooke homeless shelter.
“I made an effort. I want to get out of it. I want to start a new life,” the accused said from detention. He specified that he was not intoxicated at the time of the events. Two weeks ago, he had been expelled from a therapy house in Estrie for an outburst of anger, after having stayed there for five months.
Mr. Olivier Théorêt, defense attorney. (Rocket Lavoie/Archives Le Quotidien)
The Crown had proposed a sentence of between six and nine months. “Monsieur is dangerous,” argued the prosecutor, Mr. William Lacombe. “We must make him aware that his behavior is unacceptable.”
Mr. William Lacombe, prosecutor of the DPCP. (Mariane L. St-Gelais /Archives Le Quotidien)
Judge Boudreault ruled for a seven-month sentence. “It’s not a harsh sentence for a 42-page individual,” the magistrate said.
Thériault was already sentenced to 12 months in January 2023 for a break and enter. When he made his disturbance last February, he had just completed another four-month sentence for other crimes.
The new sentence also provides that he can no longer appear on the territory of Chicoutimi. He is also prohibited from being in contact with the workers at the homeless shelter.
