Two of the five accused in last week's vicious beating of a high school student have pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and conspiracy.
One of the minors also pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge dating back to March of stealing a cellphone and a charge of breach of conditions.
The other also pleaded guilty to breaching probation for an unrelated affair in Laval. He turned himself in to police over the weekend.
A student was brutally beaten by other youths in a park in Rivière-des-Prairies while others stood by and watched. One took a video which was obtained by CJAD 800 News.
In a statement of facts, crown prosecutor Marie Vauclair said the beating began when the victim asked one of the accused why he beat up a friend of his. Vauclair said when the victim was confronted by four of the accused, he said, "What, so it's four on one?"
Vauclair said that's when the victim was sucker punched and the others piled on, kicking and aiming for his face and ribs.
Vauclair said it was lucky the victim was not injured more seriously because of the severity of the beating.
Vauclair said the victim was not seriously injured but incurred "suffering to all parts of his body," as late as last Friday, three days later.
The crown and the defence agreed that one of the five youths could be released on bail.
Both he and the youths who pleaded guilty must respect similar conditions including not being in contact with the victim, not mentioning him directly or indirectly on social media, and also avoiding contact with the co-accused. They are also banned from being within 100 m of Lester B. Pearson High School.
The youths who pleaded guilty must also respect a 24h curfew except for going to school or work.
Sentencing arguments begin in December.
Quebec Youth Court Judge Jacky Roy will decide later this week if the two other accused will be granted bail.
The 15- and 16-year-olds testified they'd respect any and all bail conditions. Their respective grandmother and mother testified they'd call police if they didn't.
Vauclair said she wasn't convinced they could provide those guarantees and was also concerned about the 16-year-old's spotty school attendance, marijuana detox issues and the violence of the attack.
Defence lawyer George Iurcu argued that his 16-year-old client would be be free if released on bail because his freedom would be severely restricted.
Iurcu argued that there is never 100% protection for victims but that they can offer "reasonable" bail conditions.