Victim reads powerful statement at sentencing hearing for Barrie couple convicted of sex crimes
Warning: Details in this article may be disturbing and triggering to readers.
The sentencing hearing for a Barrie couple convicted of sex crimes involving a child got underway on Thursday, with the victim describing physical scars and psychological struggles endured during and since the offence.
While Desiree Torrance sat in the courtroom weeping, her co-accused, Eric Johnson, was noticeably absent from the hearing. The court waited over an hour for his arrival but eventually proceeded without the 50-year-old.
Torrance and Johnson were convicted in December. They were found guilty of 10 counts, including sexual assault, sexual interference, exploitation, and sexual assault with a weapon.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
"I can't remember how many times I cried myself to sleep. How many times I washed blood off my face," the victim said, reading her impact statement. "The first time Mr. Johnson assaulted me, it felt like a nightmare."
The victim described a deep trauma and fear from attacks the court heard happened between 2014 and 2018.
"No one understands how many times a day you think, 'If I end everything right now, there will be no more pain, no more suffering.' That thought rings in your head every second of every day."
The victim then addressed an absent Johnson.
"To Mr. Johnson, my last words are, I hope no one else has to experience the pain and torture you subjected me to. I am healing from the wrongs you have done to me, but that 12-year-old girl you stole so much from will never know what it would have been like to live a life without pain."
A publication ban protects the victim's identity.
The Crown is seeking for Torrance to spend two years behind bars, while the defence is arguing for a conditional sentence of 18 months.
The court will issue a warrant for Johnson, who is expected to receive a significant penitentiary sentence.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6940954.1719356980!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Smith tells Trudeau Alberta will opt out of federal dental plan
Alberta is opting out of the federal dental plan, the premier told the Canadian government late Tuesday afternoon.
One of Canada's most popular vehicles recalled over transmission issue; 95,000 impacted
One of the country's most popular vehicles is being recalled in Canada due to a transmission issue that may impact tens of thousands of drivers.
WikiLeaks' Assange pleads guilty in deal with U.S. that secures his freedom, ends legal fight
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has pleaded guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors that secures his liberty and concludes a drawn-out legal saga that raised divisive questions about press freedom and national security.
'We need to regroup,' says Liberal minister and Ontario campaign co-chair in light of byelection loss
A member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet and the party's Ontario co-chair for the next campaign says the Liberals 'need to regroup' after a shocking overnight byelection loss to Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives.
Pre-med students can't take MCAT in Quebec because of Bill 96
Areeba Ahmed says she's always dreamed of becoming a surgeon but her road to the operating room has become a complicated one ever since Quebec's French language law came into effect.
Protesters try to topple Queen Victoria statue near pro-Palestinian encampment in Montreal
Montreal police were called to intervene after protesters attempted to tear down the Queen Victoria statue at Victoria Square.
Cup Noodles serves up notoriously poisonous pufferfish
Pufferfish is regarded as a luxury in Japan and a meal featuring the potentially poisonous delicacy can easily cost up to 20,000 yen (US$125) at high-end restaurants.
'Truly a great British Columbian': Former B.C. premier John Horgan has cancer again
Former B.C. premier and current Canadian ambassador to Germany John Horgan has been diagnosed with cancer for a third time.
New experience in Halifax gets people up close and personal to the ocean's most feared predator
Atlantic Shark Expeditions launched a new shark cage experience which gives brave attendees a chance to get up close and personal with the oceans most feared predator.