QUEBEC - A court martial for a military warrant officer has heard he told his alleged victim he was interested in having sex with her.
Warrant officer Andre Gagnon has pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault against a former colleague.
His alleged victim testified the assault took place after a holiday dinner in December 2011.
The indictment filed against Gagnon cites one count under Sec. 130 of the National Defence Act as well as the Criminal Code section referring to sexual assault.
Former corporal Stephanie Raymond, who insisted in court today that her name not be protected by a publication ban, said she had attended an office party at a Quebec City-area restaurant.
Gagnon and a group of military colleagues were also at the dinner.
Raymond testified the wine flowed at the gathering and that she felt "quite tipsy" by the end of the event.
After the dinner, Raymond said she preferred to leave her car at the restaurant and she found herself alone with Gagnon.
Unable to find a taxi, the pair continued to walk to the nearby Regiment de la Chaudiere armoury, where they worked and which was deserted at the time.
Once there, Raymond said, she still couldn't snag a taxi and suggested to Gagnon that he accompany her the few blocks to her home. She wanted to "continue to drink" and finally get a ride home for Gagnon.
She testified that Gagnon refused the invitation and that he said he would want sex if he went to her place.
The alleged victim filed a complaint against Gagnon in 2011 and was subsequently discharged by the army.
The military court martial is being overseen by a colonel in front of a panel of five soldiers. It is similar to a civilian criminal trial before a jury.
