Man convicted in sex attacks will have hearing on psychiatric assessment

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – A court hearing will be held Oct. 11 on whether a man convicted of sex attacks in St. John’s, N.L., should undergo a psychiatric assessment.

The 60-day review, with a report due 30 days later, must be ordered by a judge. It would be required if the Crown prosecutor wants to have Sofyan Boalag deemed a long-term or dangerous offender as part of sentencing.

The 37-year-old man was found guilty earlier this month on 13 charges, including three counts of sexual assault with a weapon.

Boalag is originally from Algeria and was convicted in connection with a string of sex attacks in downtown St. John’s during the fall of 2012.

Dangerous offenders may be imprisoned indefinitely and, if released, monitored under tight parole restrictions.

Long-term offenders have typically committed sex crimes and are considered likely to reoffend. They serve defined sentences followed by up to 10 years of community supervision.

Boalag could also face deportation if released.

He kept his head down while led in and out of provincial court in St. John’s on Friday.

The judge will rule Sept. 23 on joint Crown-defence submissions that four of the lesser counts against him should be stayed to avoid duplicate convictions.

They include two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, sexual interference and possession of a dangerous weapon.

The rationale for staying those charges is that such offences are already considered in the three counts of sexual assault with a weapon.

Defence lawyer Jeff Brace said in court Friday that a series of overlapping charges of varying degrees is often laid so that if more serious counts aren’t proven, perhaps lesser ones are.

Brace and Crown attorney Trisha McCarthy disagree, however, on Boalag’s conviction on a count of choking one of his victims.

McCarthy wants the conviction to stand, while the defence wants it stayed.