A woman who was abducted, robbed and sexually assaulted after leaving her job at a hotel in central Alberta says her attacker took much more than one year of her life.
The woman told court at Justin Mueller's sentencing hearing that she constantly relives the ordeal and suffers physical, emotional and psychological stress.
Mueller turned himself into police two days after the woman was carjacked at knifepoint and abducted in Red Deer in December 2014.
He took her to a bank, forced her to take out cash, then drove her to a farm where he sexually assaulted her.
Mueller took her to his hotel room, where he assaulted her again, before he dropped her off at a convenience store where she called police.
Mueller, who is 30, pleaded guilty earlier this year and has now been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The 21-year-old woman, whose name is protected under a court-ordered publication ban, read a tearful victim impact statement in which she tearfully described what she called her "literal nightmare."
"I can't put a cast on my emotions. I still have nightmares. I'm scared to walk to my car alone. I don't like to be out after dark," she said Thursday.
"I know it's not my fault, but I feel like it is my fault. I did not provoke him. I did not entice or invite this in any way. I had no choice and no chance to fight him off."
She also told court: "I want to be heard. I want my power back."
Queen's Bench Justice Kirk Sisson said Mueller's actions were disgraceful and appalling. The judge pointed to a portion of Mueller's psychiatric assessment in which he seemingly blamed the woman.
Sisson said Mueller was the "sole person responsible" for the crime and "thinking the victim was a willing participant means you need to be kept from the public until you change your ways."
Court heard Mueller already had a lengthy criminal record with 25 adult convictions, including two counts of robbery and numerous property-related offences. His psychiatric assessment placed him in a high-risk category to reoffend.
Mueller said his behaviour that night was "out of character" and he was "intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, which is by no means an excuse." He said he believes that with hard work he can become "a positive member of society."
The young woman told court she is determined to move on. "I won't let him win. I won't give in."
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