Steven Houting sexually assaulted a nine year old girl and was in possession of thousands of child porn images and videos. He pleaded guilty to both offences which occurred in Nanaimo in 2018. (Facebook)

By Ian Holmes

sex offender

Nanaimo man to be sentenced for sex assault against young girl and possessing child porn

Sep 24, 2020 | 6:04 AM

NANAIMO — Disturbing details will be revealed in the case of a Nanaimo man who sexually assaulted a nine-year-old girl and had a large child porn collection.

Steven James Houting, 47, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography during an appearance in provincial court in Nanaimo on Tuesday, Sept. 22. He previously entered a guilty plea to sexual interference of a person under 16.

Crown prosecutor Brett Webber told NanaimoNewsNOW Houting gained a position of trust with a nine-year-old girl and sexually assaulted her in the family change room of a Nanaimo pool.

Webber said the investigation led police to discover more than 12,000 child porn images and videos on Houting’s electronic devices.

The offences occurred early in 2018.

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Defence attorney Peter Hertzberg successfully requested updated psychological and psychiatric assessments for his client, delaying sentencing arguments. Judge Ron Lamperson ordered an updated risk assessment to be included in Houting’s sentencing hearing.

A date for an anticipated full day of sentencing arguments will be established in late October.

The Crown will reference a recent Supreme Court decision advising courts to impose tougher punishments in cases involving sex crimes against children.

Houting, a longtime landscaper, has no prior criminal record and is free on bail with numerous court ordered conditions.

His guilty pleas cancelled a trial scheduled for earlier this year.

Houting quickly exited the court house and left in a red pickup to avoid having his picture taken.

Ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes