In Lavoie’s case, the actions with which he is accused date back to October 2023. After seven years of living together with his ex-partner, he has difficulty digesting their breakup which occurred a few weeks before the events.
While he was supposed to be in therapy, he showed up at the complainant’s home in the hope of getting a second chance. The lady refuses and tries to leave, but her attacker intervenes in front of each door she tries to go through.
The victim manages to escape twice, but each time, the man joins her in the street, pulls her by the arm and drags her to the ground to bring her back to the house. She also tries to start the car, but to no avail.
In a lull, the accused gives the victim his cell phone back. She immediately alerts her former partner’s uncle. The latter was arrested in the following hours.
Raphaël Lavoie, who has no criminal record, pleaded guilty to assault and criminal harassment.
His lawyer assures that he has made a 180 degree turn since the events since he no longer consumes today. The file was postponed until April 10, time to produce a presentence report.
Annoyed by his anti-reconciliation bracelet
In the case of Daniel Gionest, the former soldier admitted to committing assault and criminal harassment during a party in February 2024.
After a few months of dating the victim, he showed up at her home intoxicated. A fight broke out and the accused pushed the lady onto the bed.
He straddles her and places his hands on her neck and face. The complainant struggled and managed to get outside where she returned to her vehicle. The accused hangs on the car and damages a rear-view mirror.
Since the events, Daniel Gionest had to wear an anti-reconciliation bracelet, an uncomfortable and restrictive device, he told the court.
The anti-reconciliation bracelet makes it possible to geolocate an accused and his victim, and to trigger an alert when he approaches them. (Érick Labbé/Archives Le Soleil)
Judge Michel Boudreault asked him what the advantages and disadvantages of the bracelet are.
“There is no advantage. I couldn’t go to the gym, to the grocery store. When she was two blocks from me, it rang.”
The accused also showed a photograph of his bloody ankle to judge Michel Boudreault who accepted the removal of the bracelet.
A presentence report will be prepared before the accused returns to court in June.
