(Longueuil) A golf coach from the South Shore of Montreal is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl during a golf lesson. The complainant said Thursday that she had her breasts “flattered” by Angie Éthier, while he showed her how to hit the ball.
Posted at 3:35 p.m.
Angie Éthier, a 50-year-old resident of Sainte-Julie, is accused of sexual contact with a minor, incitement to sexual contact, sexual assault and assault with a weapon. His trial opened Thursday at the Longueuil courthouse. The alleged facts occurred around 2017 and 2018.
A court order protects the identity of the victim, now 19 years old. We omit certain elements of the evidence for this reason.
A professional golfer who has been a member of the PGA of Canada since 2018, Angie Éthier offers golf lessons on the South Shore of Montreal, but also in Bangkok, Thailand. Its classes are intended for adults and children alike. On his website, he describes himself as one of Quebec’s golf “experts”. He poses there with several children.
Mégane*, a 13-year-old girl in Angie Éthier’s entourage, received a golf lesson from the accused that day. “It didn’t tempt me,” she says. Angie Éthier shows him how to hold his stick.
“He takes my hands and shows me how to swing. […] He stands behind me, he takes my arms to position me. He tells me to stick my butt out a little,” she sums up.
According to the complainant’s account, Angie Éthier was stuck behind her. Suddenly, she feels something “hard” in her lower back. Maybe a “belly” or a “penis,” she adds.
“I feel like I feel something in my lower back. It’s just strange. It makes a bit of a back and forth movement,” says Mégane.
“I feel him breathing on my neck and his hands going up my arms and fondling my breasts. And the back and forth movement. I don’t feel comfortable,” she continues.
The defense makes the victim sob
Defense lawyer Me Conrad Lord subjected Mégane to a barrage of questions in cross-examination, barely giving him time to respond.
“Were his hands open?” How did he massage you? How long did it last? Did you tell him to stop? », Launched the criminal lawyer one after the other.
“I’m afraid of him. I’m 13, or 12. I am young,” replies Mégane.
Immediately, Me Lord resumes his insistent questions: “Why don’t you tell your mother? How many people are there in the practice area? », continues the lawyer.
These barrage of questions led the Crown prosecutor to call for a break, while Mégane sobbed in the witness box.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Me Conrad Lord in 2015
The Crown attempted to provide evidence of a second event of a sexual nature that Mégane allegedly experienced. But she was unable to remember it on Thursday. “I know it happened, but I don’t remember the event. I don’t have any details,” the teenager said.
After many questions, Mégane ended up recounting a “flash” of this event.
“My hand on Angie’s penis over her clothes,” she said. “Angie’s hand on top of my hand.” »
Mégane also recounts having already suffered the anger of Angie Éthier, when she had just placed utensils on a table.
“Angie wasn’t happy that I put knives on the table. He picked up the knives and threw them at me. It hit me on the thigh,” she testified.
At another point, Mégane claims to have received a “punch” from Angie Éthier, even though she had not followed certain instructions.
The Crown wrapped up its case on Thursday. The trial continues this Friday before Judge Louise Leduc.
Me Marianne Benoit represents the public prosecutor.
* Fictitious name
