That was the conclusion psychiatrist Dr. Jasbir Gill came to after an extensive psychiatrist assessment of Sofyan Boalag at the Waterford Hospital last year.
“I think there is a likelihood of managing his risk once he’s released from jail if he (participates in) programming,” Gill said while testifying Monday at Boalag’s dangerous-offender hearing at provincial court.
“There’s a good likelihood of rehabilitation.”
Boalag, 38, who is originally from Algeria, was convicted in August 2016 of 13 charges, including sexual assault with a weapon against three of the six complainants. His youngest victim was 15.
Among the other charges he was found guilty of were two counts of robbery and one count of resisting arrest, and charges related to the weapon.
A date for Boalag’s sentencing hearing won’t be set until the issue of the dangerous-offender application is determined.
A dangerous offender stays in prison for an undetermined period of time. If released, they are closely monitored and must adhere to strict parole conditions.
The judge can also have Boalag deemed a long-term offender, meaning he would have a defined term of imprisonment imposed, followed by up to 10 years of supervision.
Under direct questioning from Crown prosecutor Trisha McCarthy, Gill said Boalag’s brother in Algeria provided some information about Boalag and his family history.
She said Boalag had a “reasonable” childhood, but noted his father had shown physical and verbal aggression towards his mother. In school, he had trouble focusing, but there were no reports of negative behaviours.
He held down a few odd jobs before coming to Canada in 2007. He had a few jobs here, but wasn’t able to continue working after he injured his back.
Boalag had been married for six years to a woman who ended the relationship after Boalag was arrested. While still married, Boalag had two relationships in Canada — he lived with one woman for a year and the other for a year a half.
When Gill spoke to Boalag, she said, he described his wife as “good,” meaning she would listen to him, stay at home to perform domestic duties, was respectful of him, never made him mad, was family-oriented and would associate with most family and female friends rather than socializing with men.
“She went along with what his expectations were,” said Gill, adding that there were no reports of violence in either of his relationships.
During the assessment, Boalag expressed disgust with women in this country.
“He said women in Canada seem to have no respect for men, in the fact that they use alcohol and drugs, and the way they spoke to mother and father,” Gill said. “He said women here seem to do what they want to, going out with other men, even friendships.
“He’s prone to feeling jealous. … He found women here harder to trust.
“There’s a real need to feel in control in relationships. It makes him feel more secure.”
She said Boalag attributes his criminal behaviour to his alcohol and cocaine abuse.
Regarding one of the victims, he said he was too impaired to remember what happened and that he blacked out.
“He accepted responsibility, but maintained it would not have happened had he not been drinking (and taking drugs),” Gill said. “He predominantly regarded his drug and alcohol abuse as his main issue.”
He couldn’t explain why he didn’t tell police about his alcohol and drug use when he was arrested, Gill said.
“He was adamant that the (sexual assaults) are not reflective of the person he was,” Gill testified.
She said he didn’t see himself as a violent person, and said he deserved a second chance. He told her that he should be sentenced to time served and be returned to his family in Algeria.
Gill said Boalag did not meet the criteria for any major psychological illness or personality disorder, and that he showed no signs of sexual aggression while at the hospital or at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, where’s he is currently in custody.
Gill recommended that Boalag undergo counselling and substance-abuse treatment — which he expressed a willingness to do — and should have social interventions to help him cope with stressful situations. She also said he should adhere to a curfew.
Gill recommended Boalag be given an anti-depressant.
Gill will be cross-examined by defence lawyer Jeff Brace on Tuesday. Boalag’s three victims will also present their victim impact statements.
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