Sex offender gets three-year sentence

Warning: Story contains graphic content.

A Windsor man who masturbated on a sleeping woman’s head after breaking into her home will spend three years in jail.

Austin Boucher, 20, was sentenced at the Ontario Court of Justice on Wednesday.

The court heard that the victim was a 61-year-old mother of two who had fallen asleep on her couch. She was wakened by a tapping on her head.

At first, she thought it was one of her daughters trying to rouse her. But she opened her eyes to see Boucher — a total stranger to her — in a hooded sweater.

Boucher fled the room with the woman’s purse and took off in the household’s Mazda minivan.

In the ensuing panic, one of the daughters of the family noticed liquid on her mother’s pillow.

The victim then realized the substance was also in her hair. It was Boucher’s semen. “At best, it’s disturbing. At worst, it’s heinous,” said assistant Crown attorney George Spartinos.

Defence lawyer Dan Scott said Boucher was under the influence of crystal meth, marijuana and alcohol at the time of the crime.

“In street terms, I guess you would say he was hammered.”

Scott said his client has since spent time in rehab.

Scott noted that his client pleaded guilty to the charges — sexual assault and breaking and entering — in September, and has not breached any conditions.

The crime occurred during the early morning hours of Nov. 28, 2015, in the 2200 block of Curry Avenue.

Windsor police collected a sample of the semen and sent it to the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto for analysis.

Boucher’s DNA was already in the national databank. CFS informed Windsor police of the match on Dec. 8, 2015.

Within hours of receiving the information, police located and arrested Boucher.

“I’d just like to deeply say, I’m sorry, from the bottom of my heart,” Boucher told the court on Wednesday.

Before he stood in front of the judge, Boucher appeared to be in good spirits in the courthouse — snuggling with his girlfriend while flanked by his grandparents.

Justice Gregory Campbell noted Boucher’s support network, especially his grandparents.

“You need to be held responsible for your actions,” Campbell said. “All these people have been trying to help you for so long.

“You’re still young enough that you can have a productive life.”

The three-year sentence was a joint submission between the Crown and the defence. The Crown had originally sought four years in jail, while the defence had asked for two.

Boucher will be given 69 days credit for time served.

As he was being taken away to begin his jail term, Boucher turned to wave goodbye to his grandparents.

His girlfriend wept.