Warning: This story may be distressing to some readers.
A woman who alleges two men sexually assaulted her testified in 麻豆传媒映画Provincial Court July 7 saying she met one for a date and then blacked out after several drinks.
The woman, now 27, said she has snapshots of memories. But, one thing she said she vividly remembers is saying, “Do you guys know that you’re raping me right now?”
Court documents say Ryan Byng Giraud, 44, and Ryan William Spilchen, 45, are alleged to have sexually assaulted the woman, whose name is covered by a publication ban, from Aug. 16 to 17, 2022.
The men pleaded not guilty to the charges and elected trial by provincial court judge.
The charges were sworn June 6, 2024.
Judge Susan Sangha is hearing the case.
In admissions to the court before testimony, the court heard the woman met Giraud on the dating app Hinge. They agreed to meet.
He picked her up and took her to his boat moored at Vancouver’s Granville Island.
The court also heard there were multiple phone exchanges between Giraud and Spilchen around midnight.
Sangha heard the woman called her roommate about 2:23 a.m. on Aug. 17 saying she was in trouble. She called 911 and an officer was dispatched.
The woman was taken to 麻豆传媒映画General Hospital where she was examined by a doctor.
At 10:25 a.m. the following morning, an officer saw Spilchen boarding a ferry from Granville Island to Yaletown and go into a building. He was arrested June 6, 2023.
Giraud was seen leaving the boat and was later arrested. Police got a warrant to search the boat Aug. 17.
The complainant’s testimony
Testifying behind a screen, the woman said she communicated with Giraud, who she said was an Air Canada pilot, via Hinge.
She said the two had several drinks, culminating with a vodka beverage and some wine he gave her.
Crown prosecutor George Prat asked the woman about the taste of the wine.
She said it tasted, “chemicalish.”
“I found it to be very sour,” she said, later testifying she had a high tolerance for alcohol. “Before I drank that wine, I felt completely sober.”
Then, she said, the evening started to get hazy. She told the court she has snapshots of memories such as Giraud calling Spilchen and saying, “‘Come over, we’re having a party here.’”
She testified to vaguely remembering Spilchen arriving.
She also recalled snapshots of sexual activity.
The woman said she moved to another part of B.C. “to save my life, basically.”
“I couldn’t stay in 麻豆传媒映画mentally after what happened,” she said.
Spilchen is being defended by former B.C. Supreme Court Justice William Smart while Giraud’s lawyer is Richard Peck.
Testimony in the case continues this week.
