CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - A P.E.I. man who repeatedly grabbed a woman between her legs while she was driving and he was a passenger in her car was recently sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Kyle Edward David Blanchard, 27, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing after previously entering a guilty plea to one count of assault.
Blanchard was originally charged with sexual assault but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence.
During a previous appearance, Crown attorney Jeff MacDonald told the court the victim was driving her car with Blanchard as a passenger when he reached over and grabbed her between the legs twice.
The victim forced Blanchard’s hand away, and when he tried a third time she was able to cover herself.
MacDonald said Blanchard asked the victim not to say anything about what he did, and he later gave a statement denying it.
The victim believed Blanchard was “on something” at the time, MacDonald said.
During the most recent court appearance, MacDonald said a victim impact statement showed it wasn’t a minor incident in the victim’s mind.
Defence lawyer Sean Corcoran said Blanchard was in a bad place, he had been drinking heavily, was using drugs and he was dealing with anxiety around the time of the offence.
Blanchard didn’t remember what happened but accepted the victim’s version of events as the truth, Corcoran said.
He also told the court Blanchard felt ashamed after learning of the allegations.
Court heard Blanchard has since sought help to deal with his substance use and has been clean since August.
Before sentencing Blanchard, Orr said it was no excuse to say he was drunk, stoned or didn’t know what he was doing.
Blanchard will serve his sentence on weekends and will be on probation for 18 months.
He must also write an apology letter to the victim.
