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 Canadian Forces Camp Wobbler at CFB Petawawa is seen in this May 3, 2012 file photo. (DOUG HEMPSTEAD/QMI Agency) |
PEMBROKE, Ont. - A Petawawa soldier admitted Tuesday he assaulted two women at the base over two years ago.
In the two brazen attacks, Cpl. Christopher Chaulk entered a private married quarter (PMQ) and pulled his helpless victim from her bed, while grabbing another as she walked down a wooded pathway, a Pembroke superior court heard.
The 28-year-old member of the Canadian Forces pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing bodily harm.
Although Cpl. Chaulk's trial was scheduled to begin this week, the matter was quickly adjourned after the soldier entered the guilty pleas and the court accepted a statement of agreed facts presented by Crown attorney Jason Nicol and defense counsel Lorne Goldstein.
Two nights later on May 7, a woman left a nightclub Cpl. Chaulk was in and was walking to a family member's home when she became aware of someone walking up behind her.
Court heard the man violently assaulted her and that she suffered a severely swollen right eye, multiple bruises on her face and head, bruises to her arm, and a chipped tooth.
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A resident who heard the screams called 911 and when military police arrived at the scene, Cpl. Chaulk stole the woman's cell phone and ran away dropping his wallet as he made his escape. The victim ran to the cruiser falling to her knees as she reached the officers. Police retrieved the wallet which contained Cpl. Chaulk's driver's licence and military identification.
Military police tracked Cpl. Chaulk to a wooded area along one of the base's perimeter fence near the front gate.
The statement recounted that after Cpl. Chaulk refusing to comply with police demands, a tracker dog was used to help officers take him into custody. In his possession was a woman's white lace garter belt, a battery and a back cover for a cell phone which was identified as belonging to the victim's cell phone.
Under questioning by military police investigators, Cpl. Chaulk told them he "needed professional help, cause I've never done this thing before," then added "I just don't know what happened."
He couldn't explain to investigators why he attacked his victim on the pathway, noting only that he had an "unknown urge."
Cpl. Chaulk has been in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre since his arrest.
Sentencing has been adjourned until Dec. 10.