A local man has been sentenced to 14 months behind bars for sexually assaulting a former partner last summer.
The jail term was imposed last week after he pleaded guilty to the charge, as well as two counts of breaching his probation by contacting the woman.
A publication ban prohibits reporting information that identifies the victim.
Ontario Court Justice Melanie Dunn heard the offences took place in July.
The complainant contacted city police the day after the assault and reported what had occurred, prosecutor David Didiodato said.
As a result, the accused was arrested and was in custody at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre (ATRC) when the complainant received a letter from him two weeks later.
In a victim impact statement she read to the court, the woman detailed the mental, emotional, physical, and economic toll she has suffered because of the accused's actions.
"I'm lucky to be alive today" she told Dunn, describing the "sheer hell" she's experienced from a person who "manipulated me," and "made me feel like I wasn't good enough."
Everyone let her down and did nothing to help, she said. "I feel like I was thrown back to the wolves."
The woman also told the court she is "terrified," fears for her security, and has "lost everything."
After he was released from jail in the past "he came straight to my house" and will do it again, the victim said. "Nothing will stop him and he will get away with it."
She described him as a "great manipulator," telling Dunn he terrifies her. "I'm petrified he will kill me."
Defence lawyer Eric McCooeye said his client "always intended to plead guilty since the very beginning," describing the guilty pleas as "true signs of remorse."
The accused saved the woman from having to testify at "what would have been a complicated trial for the court and victim."
During his time at the ATRC, he has participated in mental health treatment where he has made inroads, and is also involved in a methadone program.
"He's done what he can while he's there," McCooeye told the court.
The lawyers jointly recommended the 14-month jail term for the sexual assault, plus a further 30 days consecutive for the accused's second probation breach, followed by three years probation
Didiodato pointed to the man's aggravating criminal record that includes a 2021 conviction where he received a six-month sentence involving the same complainant.
The woman's detailed victim statement describes an "exploited" domestic relationship that affected every aspect of her life and is "profound and long lasting," the Crown said.
When asked if he wanted to say anything, the accused, appearing in court via zoom from the ATRC, said "I'm truly sorry."
He then told Dunn he doesn't want the complainant "to be afraid of me" and "looking over her shoulder."
The man indicated he is thinking of leaving the Sault once he gets out of jail.
"Moving out of town is probably the best thing you could do for her," the judge responded.
When she imposed the recommended sentence, she noted the offender has spent significant time in custody and pleaded guilty to the offences, sparing the woman from having to tell the court what had occurred.
His criminal record has related domestic violence offences involving the victim which is aggravating.
"He has apologized to her and says he's no longer the person he was," Dunn said.
"He says he feels shame and he should feel shame."
With the enhanced credit he received for his pre-sentence custody, he faces a further 96 days in jail.
As well, he will be on probation for three years, the maximum period permitted under the Criminal Code of Canada.
During that time, he must absolutely have no contact with the woman, is not to communicate with her and must not be within 100 metres of her.
He also is prohibited from possessing weapons during his probation. He must take any recommended counselling, assessments and rehabilitative programs.
Dunn also imposed an order requiring him to report to authorities under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act (SOIRA) for 20 years.
He must provide a DNA sample for the national database.