Even though he fled the country after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a neighbor, a repeat offender has just been sentenced in his absence to four and a half years in detention, a rare measure which could facilitate his repatriation.
Costel Boroica probably wanted to avoid a stay behind bars. Just weeks after being convicted of a sexual assault, he walked away.
Despite everything, a Crown prosecutor recently worked hard to ensure that the accused received a significant prison sentence despite his absence.
“We want to send a clear message that no one can flee the country. If we don’t do it now, I don’t see when we will,” M recently insisted in the courtroom.e To Lyly-Anne Rate.
In this case, the accused barely knew his victim. In the spring of 2021, he started a discussion with the woman while they were on their respective balconies. She had just concluded a business phone call and he had claimed to be able to help her with her work.
She then accepted when he invited her to his home.
But after a few drinks, she lost consciousness. When she woke up, he attacked her.
Evading justice
Boroica had denied everything, going so far as to say that it was the victim who was running after him. But the judge gave him no credibility and found him guilty.
But subsequently, the court lost track of him.
Authorities realized far too late that the 46-year-old had left the country. He had time to sell his condo.
He flew on March 17 aboard a Turkish Airlines plane and reportedly went to Romania. But his whereabouts are unknown at this time.
For the public prosecutor, this is clear proof of “evading” justice.
“The accused is on the run, enjoying his freedom in another country. We know that he has a sexual problem, is he going to commit new victims?”, pleaded Me Lyly-Anne Ratelle, last month at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse.
In his absence for further proceedings, an arrest warrant had already been issued. But this measure is not enough to bring the accused back to the country to pay for his crime. This is why Me Ratelle insisted that Judge Éric Côté render the sentence.
Undeserved freedom
Indeed, if the file is not completed, the task of fetching the accused internationally falls to the police force. However, the Saint-Eustache police, involved in this matter, do not have the means to do this at all.
But by sentencing him to a detention sentence, it will be the responsibility of Correctional Service Canada, which has more resources than a small municipal police force.
There is no guarantee that the process will be initiated, but it is the most certain way.
“Will Canada allow a sexual attacker to remain unpunished, on the run, to enjoy a freedom he does not deserve?” asked Mr.e Ratelle.
Costel Boroica has previously been convicted of sexual assault and attempted obstruction of justice.
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