Montreal

Gilles Deguire charged with sexual assault

Former Montreal North Mayor Gilles Deguire has been charged with sexual assault and the sexual touching of a minor.

Former Montreal North mayor was a police officer for 30 years before entering politics

Gilles Deguire has been charged with sexual assault and sexual touching of a minor. (Radio-Canada)

Former Montreal North Mayor Gilles Deguire has officially been charged sexual assault and the sexual touching of a minor.

Deguire was arrested earlier this month.

He was not present in court today and represented by his lawyers instead.

An arrest warrant obtained by Radio-Canada said the alleged assault happened between Dec. 1, 2013 and Oct. 23, 2015.

Deguire stepped down as borough mayor in early January, and an executive committee member confirmed he was under criminal investigation. Deguire had been a member of Mayor Denis Coderre's party.

Coderre said he will not comment on the charges so as to not influence the court proceedings.

City councillor Chantal Rossi has been appointed as acting borough mayor and a byelection to replace Deguire will be held by mid-May.