Looking sheepish, a former Laval police officer known for his opposition to health measures pleaded guilty this morning to harassing communications towards journalist Yves Poirier.
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“Journalists do essential work in our society and they have the right to do so without fear of being harassed or harassed by anyone who disagrees with what they write,” he said. Judge Marie-Josée Di Lallo, this Monday, at the Montreal courthouse.
Just before, Maxime Ouimet pleaded guilty to harassing communications towards the TVA Nouvelles journalist.
The case dates back to November 2020 when the 36-year-old accused, who calls himself “the people’s policeman”, wanted to attack Mr. Poirier, using social networks.
“Several people give me great scoops and would like to share the info with journalists, but they don’t know how to reach them. I have a lot of contacts, and it would be my pleasure to share them with you if it can help you,” wrote Ouimet on his Facebook page.
Criminal act
To accompany his message, he gave Yves Poirier’s cell number. Ouimet had the number because of past reports regarding him, including one regarding his attendance at a conspiratorial mass.
In the hours that followed, the reporter received regarding thirty calls.
“He will receive messages of insults, provocation on his voicemail,” explained Me Delphine Mauger, of the Crown.
However, if Ouimet believed he had acted lawfully, he learned at his own expense that it was a crime.
“Yes,” said Ouimet, when asked if he was pleading guilty.
The judge, for her part, recalled that these were “very reprehensible” gestures.
“I hope the guilty plea makes you realize the inadequacy of your actions,” she told the accused.
Ouimet was also accused of harassing communications once morest the journalist of The Press Tristan Péloquin, but the chef fell on Monday.
$3000 Gift
Even if Ouimet admitted his crime, he will not have a criminal record. Because following negotiations between the Crown and the defense, the ex-policeman got away with a discharge conditional on respecting a one-year probation.
He also donated $3,000 to the Marie-Vincent Foundation, which helps child victims of violence – including sexual violence.
“Mr. Poirier is very comfortable with this suggestion, “said the Crown, explaining that it was the journalist who had suggested this foundation.
Ouimet, who attended the hearing by videoconference, took the opportunity to say that he wanted to move to Florida, where he already resides. He is already in the process of obtaining a visa, the court was told.
But even if he has closed this file of harassing communications, Ouimet has not finished with the justice of Quebec, since he still has to defend himself regarding six tickets received by virtue of non-compliance with sanitary measures. In these cases, the ex-policeman did not show up for his hearing last December, so the case was postponed until the spring.