June 22, 2006 — As reported in La Presse yesterday a Montreal cyclist, Philippe Lacroix, was sentenced to 17 months in prison and is on probation for three years. Lacroix was accused of 15 sexual assaults toward women he did not know.

According to the prosecution, Lacroix approached women who were waiting for the bus near Honore Beaugrand Metro subway station, on his bicycle. He pinched the women on their breasts or on their buttocks, and then rode away without uttering a word. Fourteen women reported being the victim of such assaults (one was assaulted twice), between April and September, 2003.

Lacroix maintains his innocence, suggesting that he is a victim of mistaken identity. He claims that he had the misfortune to be riding his bike in the wrong place at the wrong time and is appealing the judgment. He was picked up by police a few minutes after the most recent assault.