Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
ADVT 
National

Paris cops accused of raping Canadian woman will face trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Sep, 2017 12:34 PM

    A Canadian woman who says she was raped by two Paris police officers inside the force's headquarters three years ago is relieved that the case will go to trial, her lawyer said Friday.

    A French appeal court has overturned last year's decision by a lower court to dismiss the charges against the officers, whose names have not been released, Howard Rubel said.

    The ruling has brought some satisfaction to his client, Emily Spanton, who has agreed to be identified, Rubel said.

    "Most of the rules that we've developed in Canada about fair trial relating to sexual assault complainants are not in force in France," he said.

    "She had to agree to subject herself to a psychological assessment, she had to provide a history, a sexual history of her previous relationships," as well as character references, he said.

    "She has put up with a tremendous amount of invasion of privacy in order to ensure the matter goes forward so she's very relieved that that wasn't all for nothing."

    Spanton, the daughter of a former Toronto police detective, was visiting Paris in April 2014 when she met the officers at an Irish pub, he said.

    The officers offered to give her a tour of the police headquarters, a building famous for its architecture, the lawyer said.

    When she left the building later, Spanton approached another officer and reported that she had been raped, Rubel said.

    French media report the officers have denied the allegations, with one officer saying there was consensual sex and one admitting only to "consensual touching."

    The lower court had dismissed the case on grounds that there was not enough evidence to prosecute, Rubel said.

    But the appeal court unanimously disagreed with that finding and ordered a trial, which is scheduled to take place next year, he said, adding that much of the evidence is under a publication ban.

    "A court will finally get to rule on all of the evidence and make a decision as to what happened and (Spanton) is very pleased that she will have that opportunity to confront them," he said.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Car Crashes Into Hydro Pole In Surrey, Knocking Out Power To Homes

    Car Crashes Into Hydro Pole In Surrey, Knocking Out Power To Homes
    On September 11th, 2017 at approximately 2:00am, Surrey RCMP received several calls reporting a single vehicle collision into a hydro pole near the intersection of 64th Avenue and 184th Street. 

    Car Crashes Into Hydro Pole In Surrey, Knocking Out Power To Homes

    Vancouver Police Cracks Down On Unsafe Commercial Vehicles

    Vancouver Police Cracks Down On Unsafe Commercial Vehicles
    These collaborative inspections are part of an ongoing campaign focused on improving road safety by identifying unsafe commercial vehicles.

    Vancouver Police Cracks Down On Unsafe Commercial Vehicles

    Vancouver Park Board To Mull Motion Seeking Ban On Use Or Display Of Balloons

    Vancouver Park Board To Mull Motion Seeking Ban On Use Or Display Of Balloons
    VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Park Board is being asked to consider sticking a pin in the presence of latex and plastic balloons in city parks.

    Vancouver Park Board To Mull Motion Seeking Ban On Use Or Display Of Balloons

    Crown Says Montreal Couple Was Intent On Waging Jihad In The Middle East

    Crown Says Montreal Couple Was Intent On Waging Jihad In The Middle East
    MONTREAL — The Crown says a young Montreal couple was intent on answering the call from Islamic State to wage jihad in the Middle East and had amassed bomb-making materials at their home.

    Crown Says Montreal Couple Was Intent On Waging Jihad In The Middle East

    Green Factor Explains Disappearance Of Big-ticket Promises In B.C. Budget: Carole James

    Green Factor Explains Disappearance Of Big-ticket Promises In B.C. Budget: Carole James
    VICTORIA — British Columbia's three-member Green party was a factor behind the absence of big-ticket election promises in the minority NDP government's first budget update, Finance Minister Carole James says.

    Green Factor Explains Disappearance Of Big-ticket Promises In B.C. Budget: Carole James

    Chief Privacy Officer 'Pleased' With B.C. Auto Insurer's Info-Sharing Practices

    Chief Privacy Officer 'Pleased' With B.C. Auto Insurer's Info-Sharing Practices
    VANCOUVER — An audit by British Columbia's privacy commissioner has found the information-sharing practices of B.C.'s public auto insurer are, for the most part, "reasonable and proportionate."

    Chief Privacy Officer 'Pleased' With B.C. Auto Insurer's Info-Sharing Practices