‘Deplorable’ Nanaimo child molester sentenced to eight years in prison

Judge R.D. Miller said Castelden’s behaviour was “deplorable in the extreme.”

“It’s clear he hunted down a vulnerable single mother with a young female child. The fact he began his depredation so soon after entering their lives confirms that…Of course she has been robbed of her childhood and almost certainly any chance of a happy life.”

Judge Miller called Castelden a person of the lowest character.

He rejected Castelden’s claims of turning to child porn as a mechanism to cope with the everyday stresses of life.

“The reality is that his life as reported seems no more stressful prior to his arrest than any of the majority of people in this world who do not abuse children or manufacture, distribute and possess child pornography.”

Judge Miller said Castelden didn’t show genuine remorse, referencing his desire to re-connect with the victim following his arrest in May 2018.

A pre-sentence report showed Castleden had limited insight into his behaviour.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim’s grandfather revealed how her sense of trust is broken and she is no longer the positive and affectionate child she once was.

The grandfather became emotional while presenting his victim impact statement, calling Castleden a monster.

In addition to a charge of sexual assault, Castleden pleaded guilty to possessing, making and distributing child porn between March 2013 and May 2018.

A large collection of underage pornographic photos and videos were discovered on the various devices Castleden owned.

The disturbing material included men sexually abusing young boys and girls.

Castleden indicated in the pre-sentence report he was disappointed with a lack of punishment he previously received by the courts for a 2012 child porn conviction, which he claimed could have reversed future behaviour.

He received 30-days in jail for the offence.

Castleden was on probation while be began dating the child’s mother, who was in tears in the court gallery as the decision against Castleden was read out.

He was silent in the prisoner’s box, primarily looking down toward his feet.

Castelden will be on the National Sex Offender Registry for the rest of his life and must abide by a DNA order.

A host of post-release conditions specifically for sex offenders prevents Castelden from being in public places or working around people under the age of 16 for the rest of his life.

Castelden was also hit with a lifetime ban of accessing the internet.

Judge Miller said Castleden went online with a predatory mindset to gain access to the primary victim and her vulnerable and naive mother.

“He also used it to further exploit her by sharing the vile images he produced in a way that will leave her always vulnerable to these images coming back to haunt her,” Judge Miller said.

Crown prosecutor Nick Barber was satisfied with Castleden’s punishment.

“It’s a significant and serious case and the amount of jail time is appropriate given the facts of the case,” Barber said.

The emotionally draining case impacted many people in the community, according to Barber. He thanked Nanaimo RCMP for their difficult work in gaining a successful conviction.

The Crown had asked for eight to 10 years in prison, while the defence suggested a range of six to 12 years behind bars.

Castleden, a professional trucker, will serve his sentence in a federal penitentiary.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

‘Deplorable’ Nanaimo child molester sentenced to eight years in prison

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