David Beaulieu's victim describes being burned, kicked over a week
A woman who was assaulted by David Beaulieu throughout a week last summer says he burned her with a lighter and put a cigarette out on her.
He also hit and kicked her, struck her with the handle of a hammer, and pulled her hair out of her head, she testified Friday during Beaulieu's sentencing hearing in Moncton.
The woman, who can't be identified due to a publication ban, also had hot water thrown at her, she said.
It was "definitely unexpected. It stung and it hurt," she told the courtroom, adding that was the only thing Beaulieu was apologetic about.
She also described being pushed into feces in a livestock shed, and Beaulieu throwing feces at her.
He also stuck garbage down her pants and in her face, she said.
Beaulieu, 40, of Saint-Paul pleaded guilty on Jan. 14 to assault causing bodily harm between Aug. 9 and 19.
He had initially been charged with unlawful confinement and aggravated assault.
The victim was asked to take the stand on Friday to tell the Court of Queen's Bench about what happened.
No information about the nature of her injuries or her condition had previously been released.
The 34-year-old woman described several incidents during which she was injured.She had bruises on her face and her mouth, she said.
Beaulieu was taking drugs at the time, the woman said.
Crown recommends 5-year sentence
Crown prosecutor Marc Savoie argued drugs can't be blamed for the incidents. The assaults were "close to torture," he said, stressing the severity of the attacks over several days.
Savoie recommended a five-year sentence. Assault causing bodily harm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Defence lawyer Robert Rideout argued the Crown's recommendation is too harsh. Beaulieu's behaviour was out of character and he is "extremely remorseful," he said.
Beaulieu apologized to the victim, her family, his family and the court.
"I wish I could take all of the events back," he said.
Beaulieu has been in custody since he was arrested in August, which works out to about 10-and-a-half months served, the courtroom heard.
His lawyer recommended a penalty of time served and a conditional sentence.
Justice Stephen McNally adjourned sentencing until April 2.
RCMP previously said they had received a tip on Aug. 19 that a man was driving around with an injured woman in the back of his van.
Later that afternoon, the police located the suspect vehicle on Regis Street in Dieppe and conducted a traffic stop.
The driver co-operated with the police and opened the back of the van, where police found an injured woman, who was taken to hospital.
