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April 05, 2019 - 12:02 PM
CONTENT ADVISORY
KELOWNA - A West Kelowna man is heading to prison for five years after being found guilty of a violent sexual assault that occurred three years ago.
Jeremy Czechowski, 36, sat with his head bowed during the majority of his sentencing hearing at the Kelowna Supreme Court today, April 5. Justice Kenneth Ball sentenced Czechowski to five years imprisonment for sexual assault, unlawful confinement or imprisonment, attempting to choke to overcome resistance and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
In May 2018, Czechowski was found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting a woman at his home in West Kelowna. The woman's name and identity are protected under a publication ban.
During sentencing, Ball detailed the timeline of the assaults. In the early morning hours of Feb. 21, 2016, the woman, who was heavily intoxicated, and a friend went to Czechowski's residence in West Kelowna. Ball said Czechowski tore the woman's panties off and went upstairs to his bedroom with her purse. The woman pursued him to get her purse back and he took off her dress and proceeded to have forcible anal sex with her, choking her while he did so.
According to Ball, Czechowski left the room and returned, sexually assaulting her again. Czechowski left and returned once more, violating the woman for a third time. In all three instances Czechowski did not use a condom and squeezed the woman's throat.
The woman left the house and an RCMP officer found her hiding in a nearby bushy area. She was taken to a hospital for a medical examination, which revealed a multitude of bruises, abrasions on her body and other injuries.
Ball noted that Czechowski has maintained his innocence throughout the entire proceedings, stating that the woman was a willing sexual participant. Ball said the woman was too intoxicated to give proper consent.
Ball referenced a victim impact statement from the woman where she stated the assaults have changed her, making it difficult to find work and establish relationships with men.
Czechowski has no history of sexual assaults, which Ball described as a mitigating factor.
Crown lawyer Angela Ross asked for a prison sentence of six to eight years, while defence lawyer Matthew Nathanson asked for three years.
Justice Ball leaned more to the Crown's position, passing a five year sentence. Czechowski will also be placed on the sex offender registry for 20 years.
Czechowski briefly spoke with his lawyer and shook his hand before being led away by courtroom security. A woman in the courtroom said, "I love you, buddy" as he waved goodbye.
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