Latest news with #AlexandreRomero-Arata
Global News
14 hours ago
- Global News
Driver in B.C. hit and run sentenced in unrelated sexual assault of a minor
WARNING: Details in this case may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised. A man already behind bars for a high-profile hit and run in which an Irish student was killed has been sentenced to three more years in jail in an unrelated case. Alexandre Romero-Arata is set to be sentenced for the sexual assault of a minor in a separate case. This sentence comes on the third anniversary of a collision in Kitsilano that left 24-year-old Eoghan Byrne dead. Romero-Arata pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death in that 2022 case and was sentenced to five years in prison and an eight-year driving ban. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy On Thursday, he was sentenced in an unrelated sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl. He was convicted by a jury in December 2023 for the incident that took place in a Vancouver hotel in 2021. Story continues below advertisement The jury heard that the assault involved choking the victim, pulling her hair and slapping her on the face and breasts. In a statement, the victim's mother said that what was done to her daughter was inexcusable and shattered their lives. 2:31 Shocking video released at fatal hit and run sentencing hearing In the crash that killed Bryne, the court heard that Romero-Arata had been drinking, was driving at speeds of up to 152 km/h and ran multiple red lights. Video recorded by a passenger in his vehicle showed him, at one point, saying, 'I ain't stopping for no red light.' After the deadly collision, Romero-Arata fled the scene and then falsely reported his vehicle as stolen. In the sexual assault case, the Crown and defence agreed that any sentence should be served after he is finished serving his sentence for the fatal hit and run.
Global News
a day ago
- Global News
Hit-and-run killer should spend 4 years in prison for sex assault on teen, B.C. court hears
A man already behind bars for a deadly hit-and-run should spend an additional four years for an unrelated sex assault against a 16-year-old girl, a B.C. courtroom heard Wednesday. That recommended sentence was submitted jointly by Crown prosecutors and lawyers for Alexandre Romero-Arata. A jury convicted Romero-Arata of sexual assault in December 2023. 1:51 Vancouver hit-and-run trial delayed multiple times by laywer changes Crown prosecutor Joseph Marin told the sentencing hearing the assault, which took place at a Vancouver hotel in 2021, involved choking the victim, pulling her hair and slapping her on the face and breasts. Story continues below advertisement The assaults had a devastating impact on a vulnerable young person, who Romero-Arata — then 25 — plied with alcohol 'despite knowing she was underage and struggling with substance abuse,' Marin told the court. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He added that there was no evidence Romero-Arata had insight into his actions, adding that he had taken the stand during his trial and denied any wrongdoing. Marin also read a victim impact statement written by the girl, in which she said the assaults had ruined her self-worth. 'For a long time, I would contemplate ending my life because of it … I didn't want to live with those memories,' she wrote. The victim's mother also read a statement via video link, in which she said the assaults sent her daughter into a downward spiral and broke their family. 2:41 More on record of fatal hit and run driver Alexandre Romero-Arata 'What was done to her was inexcusable, and it shattered every part of our lives,' she said. 'Nothing could undo what the defendant did to her.' Story continues below advertisement Romero-Arata avoided looking at the mother as she spoke, keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead. 'You fractured an entire family,' she added. 'The effects have been long, deep and devastating.' Last December, Romero-Arata was handed a five-year sentence for criminal negligence causing death over a June 2022 hit-and-run that killed 24-year-old Irish man Eoghan Byrne. The court heard he had been drinking, was driving at speeds of up to 152 km/h and ran multiple red lights. Video recorded by a passenger in his vehicle showed him, at one point, saying, 'I ain't stopping for no red light.' Both that case and his sexual assault case dragged on for longer than expected, after Romero-Arata changed his legal counsel five times. Crown and defence agreed the proposed sex assault sentence should be served after Romero-Arata completes the two years he still has on his hit-and-run sentence. With the totality principle applied, he would spend an additional three years behind bars when that sentence is up. The judge is slated to rule on the submissions on Thursday.
