The fake soldier who appeared at the 2014 national Remembrance Day ceremony in a military uniform has been sentenced to 50 hours of community service.
Franck Gervais, 32, pleaded guilty in March to unlawfully wearing a military uniform and medals during the Remembrance Day service at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. A charge of impersonating a soldier was dropped.
In court Tuesday, Gervais apologized to the Canadian Forces before being sentenced to 12 months probation and 50 hours of community service. The judge said Gervais was unlikely to reoffend, and told the court this is a unique case without precedent.
Gervais' lawyer, Claude Lévesque, said his client had no malicious intent and is deeply sorry for his actions.
"He respects and has a profound respect for the military," Lévesque said outside the courthouse.
"He recognizes that the actions he made on November 11th, 2014 were misguided, inappropriate, especially considering that he hurt and disrespected the people he admires most: the Canadian forces."
More to come.
