Woodstock, Ont., man attempted to kill Hamilton sex worker in 'explosive' attack: judge

WARNING: This story contains disturbing details of violence and sexual assault. 

Peter Pasco was intent on killing a Hamilton woman when he strangled her with his bare hands and left her unconscious and alone in her apartment, a judge has ruled. 

After a trial before Ontario Superior Court Justice John Krawchenko, Pasco, 50, was found guilty of attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault in the October 2021 attack. 

The woman, a sex worker in her 40s, survived what Krawchenko described as a "predatory" attack that was an "explosive, rapid, surprising, violent manifestation of physical aggression."

Her identity is protected under a publication ban. 

"Mr. Pasco knew his victim's death was a virtual certainty," the judge said in delivering his ruling on July 25. "Had the strangulation lasted longer, she would've died."

Pasco, from Woodstock, had been a client of the victim's for about seven years leading up to the attack, said Krawchenko. 

Pasco went to her home at around 4 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2021, and paid her $120 for a one-hour session, Krawchenko said. Afterwards, Pasco instructed her to lay on the bed to cuddle, which she did.

He lay behind her and then suddenly and forcibly "embraced her," restraining her arms and legs with his, and strangling her with his hands, the judge said. The woman testified the she couldn't breathe or scream. 

She managed to push herself off the mattress, falling face first onto the floor, said the judge. Pasco was on top of her and continued to strangle her. She blacked out. 

When she regained consciousness, she was still lying on the floor alone, disoriented and struggling to breathe, her face covered in blood, said Krawchenko. 

Nothing was taken from her apartment except the $120 that Pasco had paid her for the session, the judge said. 

"She thought she was going to die, but wanted someone to know what had happened to her, so she called 911." 

Pasco was arrested shortly thereafter. 

Krawchenko said Pasco had pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of assault causing bodily harm, but it was not accepted by the Crown, which successfully argued the strangulation was sexually motivated and he aimed to murder the victim.

Pasco did not speak in court. 

Crown pursuing dangerous offender designation

After the judge's verdict, Crown attorney Heather Palin said she'll argue during sentencing that Pasco should be designated a dangerous offender. 

According to the Criminal Code, the designation would give the judge the option of sentencing Pasco to an indefinite period of imprisonment. 

The Crown can apply for the designation if the offender has been convicted of seriously injuring someone and poses a threat to the well-being of other people, the federal law says.  

The Crown will need to establish Pasco has engaged in a pattern of repetitive, brutal behaviour, a failure to restrain himself or control his sexual impulses that cause injury, pain or "other evil," and a "substantive degree of indifference," says the Criminal Code.  

The judge will decide if Pasco meets the criteria. 

Shortly after Pasco's arrest in 2021, Hamilton police said they believed there were more victims and encouraged them to come forward.

He had visited the Hamilton area on several occasions and may have used different aliases, said police.

Pasco isn't facing any other criminal proceedings at this time, according to the Ontario Justice Services website. 

Members of sex trade 'deserve boundaries'

Pasco's attack in 2021 "chilled" workers in the sex-trade community, said Jelena Vermilion, executive director of Sex Workers' Action Program Hamilton. 

"The women working were talking about it, sharing safety tips, and it definitely caused fear in the community," Vermilion said. 

The next year, Gbenga Obajuluwa violently beat a sex-trade worker in a secluded downtown Hamilton alley, almost killing her. He was sentenced earlier this year to 10 years in prison for aggravated assault.

Vermilion said "exaltations of violence" against these workers happen because perpetrators think nobody will notice or care and they'll get away with it. 

"Sex workers are human beings who deserve boundaries, safety and decriminalization of their work so we can stop fostering these situations where violence is allowed to happen." 

A hearing to set Pasco's sentencing date will take place in October. 

For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. ​​If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.