Dallas Clark Renney was jailed for 22 months for child porn offences in Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

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Note to readers: the following story includes graphic details, reader discretion is advised

NANAIMO — A man sent to jail on child porn charges also carried out a pattern of revolting behaviour in underground chat rooms.

Dallas Clark Renney was handed a 22 month jail sentence and a maximum three years probation on Tuesday, Nov. 10, after a jointly submitted sentence recommendation was accepted by a Nanaimo judge.

The egregious offences related to possessing and distributing child pornography in Nanaimo between October 2016 and September 2017.

Crown prosecutor Nick Barber told court a search warrant for Renney’s home uncovered 22 videos and 500 images primarily depicting young girls suffering “graphic sexual abuse.”

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He said some of the victims were babies, while others were girls upwards of 14-years-old.

Barber said during shocking chat room conversations Renney requested other adults sexually abuse minors.

With the use of an alias, Renney claimed he sexually abused multiple underage girls in chats with people interested in child porn, bondage and bestiality.

Renney also traded several child porn images during the conversations.

“(Renney) says he never intended to harm anyone, nor did he encourage anyone to harm anyone either, well that’s not true,” Barber said emphatically. “He’s completely encouraging people to harm children. He’s by his own admission into fetishes that do harm people or can.”

Barber said Renney reported his actions reflected mounting pressures he felt at the time.

“He says his lapse into the internet was a fantasy which he directly links to his desire to be in a position of power and control,” Barber said.

Renney claimed his chat room conduct didn’t reflect anything he did. A psychologist questioned Renney’s assertion he wasn’t attracted to children but did consider the offender a low risk to have physical sexual contact with a child.

Defence lawyer Doug Marion said his client was shocked at his arrest and acknowledged he made a serious mistake and expressed remorse.

“It was fantasy and he didn’t believe anyone would follow through,” Marion said, who went to explain his client is “treatable”in reference to the psychologist’s report.

Judge Ron Lamperson expanded on the same report, citing concerns Renney’s motivation for treatment is “below average.”

Lamperson called Renney’s conduct “deplorable” and “shocking.”

Renney’s lengthy probation includes counseling provisions, heavily restricted internet access and staying away from public parks and facilities where minors could be present.

His name will also appear on the National Sex Offender Registry for life and he was ordered to provide a DNA sample.

The offender once had a relatively high community profile, overseeing notable construction initiatives, including a unique Bowen Rd. passive housing project.

Renney, outfitted in blue jeans, boots and a brown jacket, did not formally address the court. He did say he’s since moved from Nanaimo to Campbell River and intends to reside there following his jail sentence.

His guilty plea earlier this year cancelled an imminent trial.

Renney had no prior criminal record in the province.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes