Close X
Saturday, November 23, 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

    Pediatricians say kids, teens should avoid sports and energy drinks

    Pediatricians say kids, teens should avoid sports and energy drinks
    Kids and teens should not drink sports or energy drinks, the Canadian Paediatric Society says in a new position released Tuesday that takes a stand against the sugary beverages.

    Pediatricians say kids, teens should avoid sports and energy drinks

    Trudeau won't weigh in on Kurdish independence, citing Quebec lesson

    Trudeau won't weigh in on Kurdish independence, citing Quebec lesson
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pointed to his own experience in two Quebec referendums to explain why Canada won't weigh in on the push for independence by Iraq's Kurdish population.

    Trudeau won't weigh in on Kurdish independence, citing Quebec lesson

    Melania Trump meets Prince Harry, Trudeau on solo trip to Toronto

    Melania Trump meets Prince Harry, Trudeau on solo trip to Toronto
    U.S. first lady Melania Trump encouraged the American team participating in an Olympic-style competition for wounded service members and veterans to take their "fighting spirit" and "bring home the gold."

    Melania Trump meets Prince Harry, Trudeau on solo trip to Toronto

    Tax changes to make system fair not stifle business growth: Trudeau

    Tax changes to make system fair not stifle business growth: Trudeau
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government has no intention of stifling growth for small businesses and start-ups with its upcoming changes to the tax code.

    Tax changes to make system fair not stifle business growth: Trudeau

    Trudeau urges Canadian companies to seek fortune in China's $5 trillion market

    Trudeau urges Canadian companies to seek fortune in China's $5 trillion market
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on Canada's small-and-medium sized businesses to embrace globalization and help deepen what he termed the "Canada-China friendship" by exploring the market potential of selling to its half-billion increasingly spend-happy consumers.

    Trudeau urges Canadian companies to seek fortune in China's $5 trillion market

    Suspect in Quebec Amber Alert case makes brief initial court appearance

    The 41-year-old father at the heart of an Amber Alert in Quebec earlier this month was hunched over, eyes fixed to the ground as he made his first appearance in court Monday.

    Suspect in Quebec Amber Alert case makes brief initial court appearance