 Daniel Katsnelson, left, pleads guilty to sexual assault in 2007. Defense Lawyer Mary Kremer, Crown Attorney Andrew Locke and Justice Ian MacDonnell are also pictured. (QMI/Pam Davies)
|
TORONTO - A York University graduate admitted today he brutally raped two first-year students and broke into several other girls’ rooms at the university’s Vanier residence.
Daniel Katsnelson pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault for the Sept. 6, 2007 invasion of the dormitory during “Frosh Week” when widespread drinking and partying mark the occasion, along with his friend Justin Connort.
The now 27-year-old sobbed in court as Crown Attorney Andrew Locke read the disturbing agreed statement of facts showing the two grads prowled from floor to floor, entering six unlocked rooms. Katsnelson violated two girls.
Both men had been drinking and entered the building under the guise of helping an intoxicated friend into his room, court heard.
Katsnelson and long-time friend Justin Connort startled a sleeping 17-year-old victim as she slept in her room shortly after 2:45 a.m.
“Do you want to get lucky with a couple of Jewish guys?” she was asked.
Katsnelson had sexual intercourse with her against her will and then Connort assaulted her. After a couple of minutes, Katsnelson retrieved his cell phone and snapped a couple of pictures of Connort with the victim, said Locke.
Katsnelson attempted to rape the victim a second time. But he gave up after she resisted, saying, “F-- this, let’s get out of here.”
Katsnelson’s semen was identified on the victim’s underwear and her bed sheets, court heard.
Connort pleaded guilty earlier to one count of sexual assault and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Katsnelson, now 27 and described as a sometime actor, will be sentenced on March 26 in front of Justice Ian MacDonnell of the Superior Court of Ontario.
