84-Year-Old Woman Assaulted & Sexually Assaulted During Home Invasion in Montreal

A 43-year-old man has pleaded guilty to breaking into the home of an 84-year-old woman in Côte-Saint-Luc, Quebec, with the intent to sexually assault her. Van Giau Do admitted to entering the residence through a broken basement window while the woman was doing laundry.

The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. On December 14th, according to court proceedings. The victim, identified in court documents as Diane*, was watching television before going to the basement. Upon turning around, she encountered Do, who was partially concealed by a winter coat. He immediately stated his intentions, telling her in English, “We are going upstairs. I am going to rape you.”

Diane attempted to call emergency services, but Do forcibly pushed her against a wall and snatched the phone from her hand. The assault continued as he followed her into a bedroom, where he made further threats and sexually assaulted her. During the attack, Do ripped off the woman’s medical alert necklace and used it to repeatedly strike her.

Despite the violence, Diane repeatedly attempted to escape. She initially asked Do for water, using the opportunity to flee, but he caught her. When she tried again, he forced her to the ground, stating, “If you don’t help me, you will stay on the floor.” Do then began disconnecting the wires from the home’s landline telephones, further isolating the victim.

Diane managed to escape her attacker and ran to a neighbor’s house for help. Police quickly apprehended Do near the scene.

In a victim impact statement presented to the court, Diane described the experience as “devastating” and stated she now constantly looks over her shoulder. Crown prosecutor Anna Levin characterized the crime as akin to “something out of a horror movie” and is seeking an eight-year prison sentence, citing the victim’s vulnerability and the violation of the sanctity of her home.

Do’s guilty plea was entered quickly, which the Crown noted as a significant factor in their sentencing recommendation. The defense attorney, Louis Morena, argued for a lesser sentence, claiming Do was under the influence of crystal meth at the time of the crime. Do himself confirmed this in court, stating, “I was intoxicated on crystal meth. I lost control that day.”

Morena further argued that the absence of vaginal penetration should be considered when determining the sentence. However, Judge Thierry Nadon reminded the court that the Supreme Court of Canada has advised against minimizing the severity of certain sexual acts, including digital penetration, which occurred in this case.

Do has a prior criminal record, including a five-month prison sentence and two years of probation for sexual assault in 2018 and a 90-day jail term with one year of probation for assault and threats in 2025.

During the sentencing hearing, Do unexpectedly interrupted the Crown’s arguments, calling the eight-year recommendation “really exaggerated” and stating he wanted to go to trial. Judge Nadon reminded him that it was too late to change his plea. A sentencing decision is expected next month.