Former Dal student gets 29-month sentence for sexual assault
A former Dalhousie University student has been handed a 29month prison sentence for having sexual intercourse with another student without her consent during a night of heavy drinking in September 2015.
A jury found Christopher Davidson, 21, guilty on charges of sexual assault and unlawful confinement at trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax in February.
Davidson was sentenced Tuesday by Justice Glen Mcdougall, who said the case was “a very sad and sorry incident.”
The judge said the fact the sexual encounter began as consensual and that Davidson was heavily intoxicated may help explain what happened but does not excuse it.
“There can be no doubt that your actions on the night of Sept. 27, 2015, have had a profound impact on (the victim),” Mcdougall told Davidson, who grew up in Calgary but moved to Halifax to attend university.
“She continues to suffer in the aftermath of the sexual assault you committed and the unlawful confinement of her during the perpetration of that criminal act.
“I take no delight in sending you to prison. In all likelihood, you will carry with you for the rest of your life the negative consequences of your actions. Although you will eventually be released from prison, the guilt and shame you are experiencing today could be something you might never escape.
“I am not wishing that upon you, but that is something you will likely have to contend with as you move forward with your life.”
The complainant, now 20, and Davidson were first-year students when the incident occurred in her room at Howe Hall. They had attended a frat party after drinking vodka shots in her room.
The woman testified they were about to have intercourse when Davidson blurted out that he had never had sex before and had been waiting to have it with his girlfriend.
Upon mention of the girlfriend, the complainant said she told Davidson to stop but he persisted. She said Davidson pinned her to the bed and swept her hands away when she tried to cover her genitals.
After realizing she couldn’t stop him, the woman said she placed a condom on Davidson because she didn’t want to have unprotected sex. On cross-examination, she also admitted that she helped guide his penis into her body.
The Crown asked for a sentence of three years in prison, while the defence recommended two years.
After taking an extra day to think about it, the judge decided the appropriate sentence was 29 months for the sexual assault and nine months concurrent for the other charge.