Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

By Alyssa Conti

COURT DECISION

Hope man gets 28 months for ‘brutal’, ‘prolonged’ rape in Chilliwack alley

Oct 3, 2025 | 9:24 AM

Warning: This story contains disturbing details.

CHILLIWACK — A Hope man who raped a 19-year-old in a Chilliwack alleyway has now been sentenced nearly three years after the incident, according to a recent provincial court ruling.

Court documents from last week show Brendan Sullivan pled guilty to sexually assaulting the victim, whose name is protected by a publication ban, in 2022.

Presiding Judge Michael Fortino noted that it was Sullivan’s first offence with minimal risk of reoffending, but acknowledged that the crime still “caused irreperable harm” to the victim.

“Whatever motivated Mr. Sullivan’s actions, the fact remains that he intentionally and forcefully subjected R.D. to his sexual will against her own while he had her alone in a dark alley and despite her repeatedly communicating her non-consent,” said Fortino.

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A ‘brutal and prolonged attack’ by a ‘generous and caring’ man

Sullivan, who was 26 at the time, was visiting a Chilliwack nightclub for Halloween when he met the victim and asked if she wanted to come home with him.

While she agreed at first, she became more reluctant once it was clear that he lived in Hope. They then passed by an alleyway next to the club’s parking lot, where Sullivan pushed her up against a building, threw her down on the gravel pathway, and raped her without a condom.

She fought him off, said no repeatedly and tried to call out for help, but Sullivan was on top of her and covered her mouth. The assault went on for about 30 minutes.

“This brutal and prolonged attack was only stopped when Mr. Sullivan was physically pulled off R.D. by her friend, a person who was frantically searching for her in response to an urgent text message,” Fortino stated.

The victim was able to send a text when the attack started, adding “I f*cking said no. Behind the hedges.” Her friend eventually found her, and the confrontation got the attention of two unknown men who then proceeded to beat him.

He ran away, but a bouncer stopped him and waited until police arrived.

She would find gravel inside her for days after the offence.

Letters of support from his family and friends described him as a “generous and caring” man and that the offence was “out of character” for him.

“What is clear from all of the letters is that Mr. Sullivan has a significant amount of support in the community to help him move through this very unfortunate period in his life,” wrote Fortino.

Sullivan has received 28 months in prison, along with a mandatory DNA sample and a 10-year ban from possessing weapons after his release.

The victim suffers from damage to her perineal area, and struggles with flashbacks, panic attacks and sleepless nights to this day.