Former Guernsey prison officer found guilty of sexual assault
A former Guernsey prison officer been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman he offered career advice to. Jason Francis Tardif, 53, of St Sampson, denied assaulting the woman at his home on 14 October 2022, including by placing his hands on her shoulders and making a sexual comment.Guernsey Magistrate's Court heard the offence had taken place following an invitation he had made to discuss the woman's interest in getting a job at Guernsey Prison, where he worked at the time. Passing judgement, Lieutenant Bailiff Russell Finch said the "court is sure the touching was sexual in nature". Tardif is set to be sentenced on 10 July in front of Judge Perry.
The court heard Tardif also demonstrated a body search on his victim and put a hand on her knee "without consent".Crown Advocate Chris Dunford said this indicated Tardif had more than "recruitment on his mind" during the time of the offence.
Made her 'skin crawl'
In a video witness statement played in court, the woman said the incident made her "skin crawl" and she had only gone to Tardif's home to ask for advice.She described how Tardif told her to stand up and said, "this is how you perform a body search" before moving his hands along her arms and down her sides.He then left her feeling "uncomfortable" as he moved closer to her on a sofa and touched her knee while showing her paperwork, she said.She also recalled that she moved away and "tried to speed up the conversation".Tardif later stopped her as she was leaving by placing his hands on her shoulders and making a sexual comment about her body.The woman said the incident left her feeling "creeped out" as Tardif initially came across like a "nice guy".Tardif who earlier pleaded not guilty, disputed he at any point deliberately touched the woman or made a sexual remark. Defending, Advocate Alan Merrien claimed where there may have been "accidental contact" it was with no "sexual intent".Tardif was earlier this year found guilty of an unrelated sexual assault.
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