Guilty verdict in 2017 hotel sex assault case

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A Calgary judge has delivered a guilty verdict in a sexual assault at a hotel in 2017.

Over the trial, the court heard that the victim was forcibly confined to a hotel room for hours and raped.

Georgopolous tried to argue that the events in 2017 were consensual but the judge found the victim’s testimony was more credible. He was also found guilty threatening with a weapon, unlawful confinement and uttering threats.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1222261914098470912

Georgopolous was pale in the face and hunched over after the verdict was read and he began to tear up.

The Crown requested Georgopolous to be remanded into custody as he had recently been out on bail, which the justice agreed to.

Counsel Dale Fedorchuk says he was surprised at the judge’s decision. He also did not want his client to be remanded into custody.

“He understands the sentencing guidelines in respect to this type of case. He understands that he may be facing jail. He just wanted some time to be out in the community to resolve his living situation and the situation with his dog,” said Fedorchuk.

Before now, Georgopolous was out on bail.

Court heard that after the pair met on an online date site the victim travelled from central Alberta and made it to a downtown hotel. Georgopolous gave her alcohol that was laced with the date rape drug.

READ MORE: Met through dating website: Calgary police charge man with sex assault

The two had sex, but the Crown argued Georgopolous got angry and started hitting her, even brandishing a knife and threatening her before she managed to escape.

Georgopolous also has a prior conviction following a death in Red Deer in 2015 and is a high-risk offender.

Fedorchuk raised concerns with the probation officer and objected to him remaining on a list of high-risk offenders. The defense plans to appeal.

“I thought perhaps we raised a reasonable doubt based on the inconsistencies in the statement of the complainant as well as the evidence given by Mr. Georgopolous.”

A sentencing date will be determined next month. He faces at least three years in prison.