Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting four women in Toronto, Canada, between the late 1980s and 2005.
According to a BBC report, Nygard, now 83, was found guilty last year, despite denying the charges. Prosecutors initially wanted a 15-year sentence, arguing that Nygard had a pattern of using his wealth and influence to commit these crimes. However, his lawyers asked for a lighter sentence, citing his age and declining health.
BBC notes that this sentence doesn’t mark the end of Nygard’s legal battles. He still faces sexual assault and sex trafficking charges in other parts of Canada and the U.S.
Although he denies all allegations, these charges haven’t been tested in court yet. Nygard has already been in custody since 2020, so he has about six years left to serve and could be eligible for parole in two years.
During the trial, the court heard that Nygard lured women by offering help with their careers in fashion, only to assault them in his private suite.
BBC reports that the victims were between 16 and 28 years old at the time, and the trauma from the assaults has left lasting effects on their lives.
One woman said in her statement that the attack caused severe mental health issues, while another shared how it damaged her ability to form relationships.
Nygard’s case isn’t over yet. BBC highlights that he faces more charges in Montreal and Winnipeg, where he’s accused of further assaults, including holding a woman captive.
After his cases in Canada are dealt with, he’s likely to be extradited to the U.S. to face more allegations, which include claims of a “decades-long pattern of criminal conduct” against numerous victims.
A separate lawsuit involving 57 women in the U.S. is also on hold while his criminal cases continue.
Nygard’s fall from grace is significant. He once led a global fashion empire, but as BBC points out, his company collapsed after U.S. authorities raided its New York offices in 2020, leading him to step down from his role.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cxe2e0m0g3do