Warning: This story contains disturbing details A man who pleaded guilty to urinating on his girlfriend while she slept while making a video of the “degrading and humiliating” assault won’t spend any time behind bars, a B.C. judge has decided. Martin Joseph Couture pleaded guilty to one count of assault against his former intimate partner and was handed a 12-month suspended sentence last month. The victim’s name is subject to a publication ban granted after an application from the Crown. Judge Tina-Marie Bradford’s sentencing decision, which was published online this week, described the 2025 assault. “Mr. Couture urinated on her, saturating her clothing and body. When the complainant awoke, she discovered she was drenched in urine and observed cameras positioned around her,” the decision said. “Upon questioning Mr. Couture, he initially responded that the incident was ‘piss play’ and that she had asked for it. The complainant later viewed the recording, which confirmed she was asleep at the time of the act.” The court heard the couple had a “tumultuous” relationship, that the assault happened after they had both drank alcohol and consumed prescription drugs and after the victim had turned down a marriage proposal. The victim also provided an impact statement, in which she said she had experienced anger, sadness, shame and “a profound sense of betrayal.” Crown asks for time behind bars The prosecution asked the judge to impose a sentence of six to nine months in jail, followed by a period of probation—emphasizing that the victim was vulnerable and asleep, and Couture’s initial victim-blaming response. “The Crown further submits that the nature of the act itself is degrading and humiliating, striking at the victim’s dignity in a profound way,” Bradford wrote. “In the Crown’s view, a non-custodial sentence would trivialize the seriousness of the offence and fail to adequately reflect Mr. Couture’s moral blameworthiness.” Bradford agreed with Crown’s characterization of the assault, finding it to be an aggravating factor. But the judge found there were “significant” mitigating factors in the case that meant a custodial sentence was not called for. Couture’s guilty plea and lack of a criminal record were noted, as was his assessment as a low risk to reoffend. The court heard that Couture had achieved and maintained sobriety, complied with all court-ordered conditions, expressed genuine remorse, benefited from a strong support network, and engaged in activities like helping with community food programs and teaching music to children. “Defence characterizes the offence as a momentary, impulsive act, committed during a period when Mr. Couture was struggling with mental-health and substance-use issues,” the judge’s decision said. “He does not minimize his conduct but asserts it was a one-time lapse in judgment within the particular dynamics of the relationship.” The court heard that videotaping sexual acts and “urination as a form of sexual play” was something the victim had consensually engaged in—which the defence said was “contextual background to the conduct.” Reasons for suspended sentence Ultimately, Bradford found incarceration was not warranted, in large part because “rehabilitation has largely been achieved.” The year-long suspended sentence requires Couture to comply with conditions including having no contact with his victim and a prohibition on possessing or using drugs and alcohol. He will also be required to attend counselling as directed, and to perform 40 hours of community service, and to apologize to the victim “to the satisfaction” of a probation officer. “A suspended sentence with probation allows the court to impose meaningful conditions that promote accountability, reinforce rehabilitation, and ensure ongoing monitoring, Bradford wrote. The B.C. Prosecution Service said “is carefully reviewing” the decision, a spokesperson said when CTV News asked if it would be appealed.
