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A former medical student has been sentenced to three years and nine months of incarceration for the sexual assault of an unconscious woman.

During a sentencing decision for Prachur Shrivastava, Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Jolaine Antonio said Wednesday there was “no excuse” for sexually assaulting an unconscious stranger.

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Antonio said the fact that the victim, who can’t be identified due to a publication ban, was “functionally unconscious and therefore at her most vulnerable” demands a strong deterrent message.

Shrivastava was led out of the courtroom in handcuffs after Antonio delivered the sentence.

The 27-year-old, who was 22 at the time of the offence, was found guilty of sexual assault last year for raping the stranger at a friend’s home in May 2014. The victim had gone out for drinks with a group of friends and fell asleep at the house.

“I allow a small measure of mitigation for Mr. Shrivastava’s youth,” Antonio said. “I give no mitigating or aggravating effect to his lack of prior convictions, lack of remorse, loss of reputation or altered career path. Mr. Shrivastava’s character does not mitigate the gravity of the offence, or his degree of responsibility.”