Harold LeBel granted parole
Harold LeBel suffered his sexual assault trial in January 2023. (File photo)
Nearly two months after being sentenced to an eight-month prison sentence for sexual assault, former Rimouski MP Harold LeBel has obtained leave release preparatory to parole.
His release plan consists of going to stay in a halfway house and continuing his therapeutic approach with a psychologist.
The 60-year-old man is steeped in remorse and admits all the actions that the victim accused him of, notes the Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles in its decision. You are shocked to see that you were able to do what you did.
These are serious crimes and it took time and courage for the victim, who filed a complaint in 2020, three years after the events.
Harold LeBel now admits to having been too insistent with the victim, to whom he says he has immense respect. He claims to know that his actions had negative repercussions on the young woman.
The commissioners add that the label of sex offender is therefore extremely heavy for you to bear and you have deeply ashamed, especially in the face of your two sons, because you do not want to set such an example for them.
Harold LeBel therefore takes full responsibility for his behavior.
This release preparatory to parole is granted, but in the same decision, the Board considers the parole of the offender since he will be eligible for it on April 16.
< p class="e-p">For the same reasons, the Board grants him this conditional release while imposing a framework and restrictive conditions on Harold LeBel.
