Gary Janvier is escorted by a Deputy Sheriff as he leaves Court of King's Bench in Prince Albert. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘I instantly felt fear’: assault victim testifies at trial

Mar 19, 2025 | 2:40 PM

While running on the treadmill at Goodlife Fitness, a woman was overcome with a feeling of instant fear seeing a man she recognized gain unlawful entry to the facility and make his way towards the cardio equipment.

Less than a minute later, the man crouched down near the treadmill, and while licking his lips, stared at her groin area and made a sexual remark.

Those disturbing details were shared by the victim Wednesday morning at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert. She was among one of the Crown’s witnesses at the Gary Janvier trial. In connection to multiple complaints made to police on Feb. 18, 2023, the 35-year-old is facing a number of charges including sexual assault, forcible confinement, possession of a weapon (knife), voyeurism and resisting arrest.

“I instantly felt fear,” the woman testified. “It made me felt uncomfortable and I felt scared for others.”

After stopping the treadmill, the woman, who recognized Gary Janvier from her background in corrections and policing, told him he was not welcome there and should leave. She also took a picture of him, knowing it may be useful for a police investigation. When Janvier ignored her request to leave, she then grabbed him by the arm and began walking him towards the exit.

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A video of the incident was played for the court both staff and a number of people in the gym. No one stopped Janvier from entering through the gate area and only stepped in to assist after the woman began walking him towards the door.

Along the way, she claimed Janvier made two unsuccessful attempts to tackle her.

“It’s supposed to be a safe place,” the woman noted about the experience and a feeling of being alone with a large man, who may or may not have a weapon.

After Janvier gets to the door, he then leaves without further incident.

The woman stated that while uncomfortable with what happened, she was also happy she was the one to deal with the man, adding she may have saved another woman, who did not have the same training, from getting hurt.

On Tuesday, there was some hesitation whether to use the video as evidence, as the original recording copied from a USB to a DVD, was never authenticated by police.

That hoop was however cleared when Janvier himself agreed to having it shown to the court and added as evidence.

When cross-examined by lawyer Evan Strelioff, the woman was asked whether the man in the video was actually tackling her or simply dropping down.

“It felt like he was going to use extra force to get me on the ground,” she replied, adding that it felt sexual in nature.

Prior to the incident at Goodlife Fitness, Janvier is also alleged to have assaulted a woman at a nearby medical centre, and later that afternoon was alleging masturbating at Winner’s, while following a group of teenage girls.

Four days have been set aside for the trial.

At the time of the incident, police also referred to a separate sexual assault that occurred in the 1800 block of Central Ave. Prosecutor Jeff Summach confirmed the Crown made a decision not to proceed on that charge.

Janvier’s state of mind

On Tuesday, Justice R.W. Elson noted concerns to Janvier’s behavior and perceived lack of understanding what was happening in court.

Those same concerns were echoed on Wednesday, when Justice Elson explained he had spent a number of hours reading over case law, looking for direction.

He explained that an accused must have a “reality based” understanding what was occurring, and while a psychological assessment conducted last year did find Janvier fit to stand trial, the report’s author had failed to ask some key questions.

So once again it raises the dilemma whether to order a new report and incur more delays or continue.

“It’s not a decision I can make lightly,” Elson said, adding if he were to order a new report, it would happen after the Crown closed its case.

He also noted Janvier has in the past been very uncooperative with the court’s requests.

“If I were a betting man, I’d bet the last loonie in my pocket Mr. Janvier would not want me to order another psychological assessment,” he said.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigel.maxwell.bsky.social