Cyberharassment: 9 months in prison for Sébastien Rioux’s troll

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Le Pistolois Sébastien Rioux was the victim of cyberbullying for almost two years. (Archive photo)

• Gabriel Paré-Asatoory (View profile)Gabriel Paré-Asatoory

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Peter Poncak, the man who harassed Sébastien Rioux on social networks for almost two years, will have to serve a nine-month prison sentence followed by three years of probation.

The decision was rendered Thursday afternoon at the Rivière-du-Loup courthouse.

< p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">The charges against the 38-year-old man from Gatineau took place between May 1, 2020 and August 4, 2021. During this period, Peter Poncak sent countless hate messages, including death threats. , to Sébastien Rioux on social networks.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal harassment in March 2023.

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Sébastien Rioux recounted his ordeal on the show “Tout le monde en talk” in April 2023.

He killed something in me that can never come back. My interaction with social networks will never be the same again, the victim said during her testimony on Thursday.

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He succeeded in creating in me the feeling of no longer being safe anywhere.

A quote from Sébastien Rioux

The Crown asked for a sentence of 9 to 12 months in prison followed by 3 years of probation. The victim's lawyers argued that Sébastien Rioux was still living with the consequences of these events.

According to them, the content of the messages sent and the duration of the case constituted aggravating factors.

The defense, she recommended a sentence of 9 to 12 months in the community with probation.

I misjudged the consequences of my gestures. I don't remember him telling me to stop. I was not well at the time, Peter Poncak testified during cross-examination.

Being a troll allowed me to forget my own misfortunes.

A quote from Peter Poncak

This case could well set a precedent since' This is one of the first cases heard regarding cyberharassment. In her decision, Justice Luce Kennedy said she wanted to send a clear message to Peter Poncak.

Let us remember that this was not the first time this man had run-ins with the law. He was convicted six other times of harassment, assault and failure to comply with orders between 2008 and 2021.

With information from Patrick Bergeron

< li class="border-gray300 light:border-gray300 dark:border-gray700 children:w-full flex border-t border-solid py-4">Gabriel Paré-Asatoory (View profile)Gabriel Paré-AsatooryFollow