Four years after surviving Richard Mantha’s vicious attack and fleeing for her life, Aimee Ert has decided to publicly share her story for the first time. At the sentencing hearing of the convicted serial rapist, the publication ban safeguarding Ert’s identity was lifted. Ert, who was previously referred to as Avery by CBC News, expressed her desire to have her real name disclosed so she can raise awareness by sharing her experience more broadly.
Recalling her ordeal, Ert testified that she was drugged, strangled, and sexually assaulted after agreeing to accompany Mantha to his property east of Calgary. Managing to escape from his trailer situated within a Quonset hut, she ran through nearby fields. Ert emphasized the moment she found the strength to fight back, stating, “I don’t know if it was a sign, intuition, or simply a sudden surge of determination, but at that instant, I knew I wanted to survive.”
Mantha, aged 62, was found guilty of six offenses in April, including sexually assaulting three women—one of whom he drugged and another he suffocated and assaulted with a weapon—along with making threats against a fourth woman. Originally facing 20 charges involving seven women, many of whom were vulnerable sex workers struggling with addiction issues, Mantha’s actions were condemned during the trial.
During the sentencing hearing, Crown prosecutor Dominique Mathurin recommended a prison term of 10 to 13 years for Mantha’s crimes, while defense lawyer Justin Dean argued for a reduced sentence of five to seven years citing his client’s deteriorating health. Justice Judith Shriar is anticipated to announce Mantha’s fate on September 17.
In the courtroom, Ert, standing strong, read two victim impact statements aloud, one penned when she was 17 months sober and the other more recently at four years clean. Expressing forgiveness towards Mantha for her own peace, she vowed to never forget the trauma inflicted upon her. Ert emphasized her journey towards recovery from addiction and the importance of being recognized as a survivor, not a victim.
Despite the challenges she has faced post-attack in her personal and professional life, Ert remains dedicated to her healing process and hopes that justice will prevail for Mantha, wishing him to receive the necessary assistance. She aims to inspire those struggling with adversity by showcasing her resilience and determination to overcome obstacles.
As Mantha attempted to provide a statement during the hearing, his speech was largely incomprehensible due to health issues. The defense was granted time to decipher his message and present it in written form at a later stage.
