THREE RIVERS, P.E.I. — A Head of Cardigan man who touched a woman through her clothing without her consent while she sat in his car in a restaurant parking lot was sentenced recently to 30 days in jail.
David Edward Roach, 56, appeared before Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Georgetown where he pleaded guilty to one count of assault.
Roach was initially charged with sexual assault but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence.
Crown attorney Chad McQuaid told the court that on the day of the assault, the victim was working at a restaurant where she knew Roach as a regular customer.
The court heard the victim went outside during her break, started talking to Roach and got in his vehicle where she sat with him in the parking lot.
McQuaid said that while the victim was in the vehicle, Roach touched her through her clothing and made comments to her that included asking if she was coming to his house.
The court heard that Roach told the victim she would leave more tired than when she finished working.
After the assault, she went back to work and told her supervisor what happened.
McQuaid said the victim put her trust in a regular customer and didn’t expect him to do what he did.
A victim impact statement was prepared for the case, in which the court heard the woman said it will be hard for her to trust men.
In sentencing Roach, Orr accepted a joint recommendation from the Crown and defence.
Along with the jail time, Roach will be on probation for two years, which includes conditions that he have no contact with the victim. He is also banned from going to her place of employment.
Roach must undergo a sexual deviancy assessment, counselling and treatment if directed.
He must also write an apology letter to the victim.
Ryan Ross is The Guardian's justice reporter.
Twitter.com/ryanrross
