No jail time for Brazeau despite guilty plea

GATINEAU, QUE.— Sen. Patrick Brazeau said Wednesday he’s focused on getting back to the upper chamber “as quickly as possible” after a Quebec judge agreed to grant him an unconditional discharge on assault and drug charges.

The decision means Brazeau avoids the prospect of jail time and even a criminal record, despite having pleaded guilty to the charges in September.

“This nightmare, I’ve been living with this for two and a half years and it’s finally over,” Brazeau said outside the courtroom in Gatineau, Que., after the decision came down.

Partway through the trial, Brazeau pleaded to reduced charges of assault and possession of cocaine, while the more serious charge of sexual assault was dropped due to a lack of evidence. Quebec Court Judge Valmont Beaulieu read a lengthy decision that outlined why he agreed with the joint recommendation of the Crown prosecutor and Brazeau’s lawyer, who urged him to grant a discharge.

The victim did not make a statement to the court before the sentencing.

Beaulieu emphasized certain extenuating circumstances, including that Brazeau had lived for several months under the cloud of being accused of sexual assault, and that the victim did not suffer any injuries.

He also noted a Supreme Court judgment that outlined how a person’s public position can subject them to additional media scrutiny and public shame.

Brazeau still faces a criminal trial for fraud and breach of trust arising from his Senate living expenses, scheduled to take place in March 2016. The trial of Sen. Mike Duffy, which involves similar issues, is set to resume next month.