Partner Assaults with 2×4: Blames COVID and Sexual Frustrations

Partner Assaults with 2×4: Blames COVID and Sexual Frustrations

A man faces an eight-year prison sentence for severely injuring his partner with a wooden plank, following a brutal assault that left her with lasting physical and emotional trauma. During the sentencing hearing, the victim described her harrowing experience, highlighting the ongoing pain and anxiety she endures. Despite initially being charged with attempted murder, the man pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. The case’s complexities include his attempts to blame external factors for his violent actions.

Severe Consequences of Domestic Violence

A man faces the possibility of an eight-year prison sentence after inflicting life-threatening injuries on his partner using a wooden plank. The case has garnered attention due to the shocking nature of the attack and the accused’s attempts to shift the blame onto external factors.

Victim’s Heart-Wrenching Testimony

During the sentencing hearing at the Longueuil courthouse, the victim shared her harrowing experience, declaring, “If hell exists, that’s what I experienced that day.” This emotional confrontation occurred as she detailed the aftermath of the violent incident that took place on February 3, 2022. The assault has left her grappling with debilitating pain, anxiety, memory issues, and insomnia.

The victim, who has recently divorced Pierre Berrard, recalled his promises never to harm her, emphasizing the deep scars—both physical and emotional—that the assault left behind. Berrard, who sat in the dock, showed no visible reaction as his ex-partner recounted her trauma.

Initially charged with attempted murder, Berrard ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. The prosecution characterized his actions as “abject” and recommended a lengthy sentence, while the defense argued for a shorter five-year term. It’s noteworthy that Berrard has already spent nearly three years in pre-trial detention.

According to court documents, Berrard attributed his violent behavior to long-standing sexual frustrations and recent revelations about his partner’s sexual orientation. Crown prosecutor Me Bruno Deslauriers pointed out that Berrard was attempting to blame the victim for his actions.

In his defense, Berrard referenced the COVID-19 pandemic and its toll on mental health, claiming that his anger reached a boiling point that day. The brutality of the assault was inadvertently recorded by a surveillance camera in their home, although the video footage did not show the incident due to the camera’s repositioning by Berrard.

On the day of the attack, the victim was quietly reading news on her tablet when Berrard violently struck her with the plank and attempted to choke her. “Not a single day goes by without me reliving his blows,” she testified, highlighting the long-lasting impact of the violence.

Berrard also expressed his desire to dissolve their marriage and start anew with his mistress, revealing the financial strain on their family due to his job loss amid the pandemic and his wife’s ongoing battle with cancer. In a desperate bid to stop the violence, the victim negotiated with Berrard, offering to support his plans for a new life by transferring some assets to him.

The case is set to return to court in April, as the family continues to navigate the repercussions of this tragic event.