A 57-year-old pastor who presided at parishes in the West Island and TMR has been found guilty of three charges of sexual assault against a boy between 2008 and 2011.
Brian Boucher also faces another trial later this month for allegedly sexually assaulting two other boys.
Boucher has denied the crimes and testified in the first case that the victim made up the story and was getting revenge on him for telling his parents about being intimate with a girl.
Judge Patricia Compagnone didn't believe Boucher, pointing out similarities in the victim's testimony and that of another alleged victim, calling the testimony of the latter "particularly poignant" and "straightforward, frank and reliable."
Trial of Brian Boucher, pastor who worked in West Island, TMR found guilty of sexually assaulting a boy at his parish: no comment from Boucher. His lawyer says his client is “disappointed” and they’ll look over the ruling. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/IHRfSWkike
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) January 8, 2019
The judge called the main victim's testimony "consistent" with that of an adult describing a traumatic event in his life.
Compagnone ruled that Boucher's testimony "lacks credibility and truthfulness" and was "unreliable."
Compagnone said she found Boucher "not to be forthright" and "answered evasively," that he chose not to tell the whole truth but rather tell a story "for the purpose of rebutting (the victim's) story."
Trial of Brian Boucher, pastor who worked in West Island, TMR found guilty of sexually assaulting a boy at his parish: sentencing arguments set for late March. #CJAD800
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) January 8, 2019
Boucher did not show any emotion as the ruling was handed down and did not comment on his way out. He remains free on bail pending sentencing arguments in late March.
Boucher's lawyer told reporters his client is "disappointed" and that they'll analyze the ruling.
The Crown said they are satisfied with the decision.
The maximum sentence Boucher could face is ten years in prison.