Former St-Laurent high school basketball coach heading to penitentiary for sexually abusing student, judge says
A former basketball coach at a high school in the St-Laurent borough, convicted last year of sexually abusing one of his players, was advised by a judge to get his affairs in order because he appears to be heading to a federal penitentiary to serve his sentence.
Quebec Court Judge Patricia Compagnone made the comments Thursday morning at the Montreal courthouse after she was informed that lawyers in the case were not ready to proceed for a scheduled sentencing hearing for Robert Luu.
In December, Compagnone found Luu, 35, guilty of sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching. When she testified during his trial, the victim said Luu sexually abused her while she was between the ages of 12 and 15.
Luu is currently out on bail.
“I will be very clear. In light of the charges I found you guilty of, you will be getting a sentence to serve in a federal penitentiary (more than two years),” the judge said after noting she was informed Luu is trying to deal with financial problems before he is sentenced. “It is a penitentiary sentence that you are facing. I won’t say what it will be, but it is inevitable. It is coming.
“Don’t think it isn’t coming. Take care of your affairs. It isn’t more complicated than that.”
Luu’s lawyer, Sharon Sandiford, informed the court that she and prosecutor Jérôme Laflamme have been discussing the possibility of making a common suggestion on the sentence.
“He knows it will be a long sentence,” Sandiford said. “It will most likely be a common suggestion.”
In 2022, Luu and two other coaches at the same high school were arrested and charged with sexually abusing students who played for their teams.
Daniel Lacasse was acquitted in his case last year.
Charles-Xavier Boislard, 47, pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting one of his players. On Jan. 15, he was sentenced to a four-year prison term.
Luu’s case returns to court later this month.
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