Man charged with beating girlfriend, drugging and raping another woman
A 31-year-old Ottawa man is facing charges of drugging and raping a woman on the same day he allegedly assaulted his pregnant, live-in girlfriend, causing the pregnancy to end.
According to court documents, both incidents are alleged to have occurred on March 11.
In one incident — involving the man's pregnant, live-in girlfriend, according to a police source — the man is charged with aggravated assault, obstructing a police officer and breach of probation, court documents say.
The source said the woman was pregnant, that the pregnancy had not yet reached full term, and that the fetus died inside the woman after the alleged assault.
The woman remains in hospital.
The other incident was brought to the attention of police the following day, March 12, when another woman came forward to police to say she had been drugged and raped on March 11. It happened in an apartment near King Edward Avenue and Wilbrod Street, police said in a media release issued Wednesday.
The man was already in custody for the alleged incident involving his girlfriend when the second set of charges were laid against him, including administering a noxious substance, sexual assault and theft under $5,000 for allegedly stealing an iPad.
On March 14 the man, who remains in custody, is also accused of breaching a court order not to contact his girlfriend.
The man's criminal record dates back to 2005, according to court documents, and includes multiple convictions on charges that include assault causing bodily harm, assault, mischief and assaulting a peace officer, among others.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Friday morning.
The sexual assault and child abuse unit is investigating and police "are concerned that there could be other victims," the media release said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5944. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
