A Saguenay man who pleaded guilty to one count of breaking and entering to commit an act of bestiality on a farm last September will avoid prison.
Samuel Jean will instead have to perform 240 hours of community service, the maximum provided for in the Criminal Code.
He will have 18 months to complete them.
“The judge highlighted the presentence report, the fact that he had no criminal record, the fact that he had pleaded guilty, the fact that he had made several follow-ups,” explained the prosecutor to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions , Me Nicole Ouellet, to justify the absence of detention.
The 30-year-old was arrested at his workplace in the fall of 2023.
Last September, he pleaded guilty to one count of breaking and entering to commit an act of bestiality.
The man entered a dairy farm in Laterrière, where he performed sexual acts on cows.
His semen was found in a farm employee’s overalls in addition to a handprint near the cows’ genitals.
The sentence imposed by the judge stems from a joint suggestion by lawyers.
“It’s something that is very rare, I had to get my head around it at the beginning because in the majority of cases, when it’s known offenses, I know roughly what it’s worth. progress depends on aggravating factors and mitigating factors. In this case, I did a search of case law which is very few. Very few judgments for similar events,” noted Me Julien Boulianne, the individual’s lawyer.
Samuel Jean insisted on speaking in court.
He said he regrets his actions and will not do it again. He explained that he was poorly surrounded at the time of the actions with which he is accused and that he made bad decisions during this period. He adds that he does not blame those who denounced him.
Victim of judgments
Both the Crown attorney and the defense attorney recognize that Samuel Jean has a low risk of recidivism.
The man has indeed been the victim of judgment in the small environment in which he lives.
The nature of the actions carried out on the cows caused a stir during his arrest.
“The judge was also aware of this. In Laterrière, this type of event, it doesn’t take too long to go around the place and there is media coverage which ensures that the shame behind it, the way people look at it, the judgment of others… Already it has a deterrent effect on him,” his lawyer agreed.
The judge highlighted the good conduct of the individual who seemed to have regained control. He has a new job, a partner and he has undergone psychiatric and sexological follow-ups.
The 30-year-old will have to submit to two years’ probation.
