Sexual Assault Trial Opens for Former Quebec Police Spokesperson Claude Doiron

The trial of former Sûreté du Québec spokesperson Claude Doiron began in Percé, Quebec, on charges of sexual assault against a minor dating back to 1988.

Sexual Assault Trial Opens for Former Quebec Police Spokesperson Claude Doiron

The criminal trial of Claude Doiron, a former regional spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), commenced Monday at the Percé courthouse in eastern Quebec, Le Nord-Côtier reported.

Doiron, now 63, faces three counts: sexual assault, sexual contact, and incitement to sexual contact involving a person under the age of 14. The alleged incidents occurred between May 1 and September 30, 1988, in Cloridorme, a community in the Gaspé Peninsula.

The accused was not employed by the provincial police force at the time the alleged offences took place. He was arrested in Quebec City in June 2023, shortly before his planned retirement from the SQ.

Following procedural matters, the Crown called two witnesses on the opening day: an SQ cybercrime investigator and the complainant, whose identity is protected by a publication ban.

The defence indicated it intends to call seven witnesses during the two-week trial, which is being heard by Judge Pierre Lortie alone. No decision is expected from the bench; the court anticipates a verdict in October.

Doiron had served as the SQ's public face for eastern Quebec before his arrest.

Source: Google News CA — Québec (FR)