Chris Beaton pleaded guilty to a pair of child luring charges in court in Nanaimo on Wednesday, Feb. 16. (Facebook)

By Ian Holmes

guilty pleas

Former Nanaimo youth advocate pleads guilty to child luring charges

Feb 16, 2022 | 9:38 AM

NANAIMO — The former executive director of the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre (NAC) pleaded guilty to a pair of child luring charges.

Christopher Robin Beaton, 56, entered the pleas in provincial court on Wednesday, Feb. 16 on two charges of telecommunicating to lure a child under the age of 18-years-old.

Beaton’s offending occurred in Nanaimo on Dec. 29, 2018 and Feb. 24, 2020 while he was the NAC’s executive director.

Beaton’s admission of guilt, accepted by Judge Justine Saunders, sets the stage for a future sentencing hearing at a yet to be determined date.

Judge Saunders ordered both a psychological assessment of Beaton and a Gladue report prior to the sentencing hearing, which is expected to take place this spring.

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The Gladue report is specifically tailored to Indigenous offenders containing information about a person’s background specific to their Indigenous heritage.

The reports are expected to be completed in April.

Beaton said very little while appearing in court virtually, with his lawyer Chris Churchill communicating on his behalf.

“Good morning Your Honour. I can hear you fine, it’s a yes, I confirm that,” Beaton said to confirm his guilty pleas to the charges.

Beaton appeared via video during the brief five minute appearance.

Charges against Beaton were approved by Crown counsel in July 2021.

Beaton abruptly left his post as the head of NAC in March of last year.

His guilty pleas were made during his first court appearance as the matter had been adjourned multiple times previously.

As part of his role with NAC, Beaton advocated for and provided services for vulnerable youth. He was also appointed by the ministry of children and family development in March 2019 to serve a nearly two year term as a member of the Provincial Child Care Council.

Beaton’s career in the social services sector spanned more than 25 years.

Following charges against Beaton becoming public last summer, the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre issued a statement on their Facebook page which said Beaton had not had any association with the organization since March 2021.

“We are very disturbed at the nature of the charges and will wait for the justice system to run its course. The NAC Board and employees feel angry and betrayed and NAC wishes to state emphatically that we did not and do not condone this type of conduct in any way.”

NAC added regardless of the outcome, Beaton would not be returning to the organization as an employee.

Beaton is not in custody. He has no prior criminal record in the province.

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A wide range of 24/7 mental health and other support services are available free of charge, including the Canadian Crisis Hotline (1 888 353 2273), Crisis Services Canada (1 833 456 4566) and the Kids Help Phone (1 800 668 6868 or text CONNECT to 686868).

Additional resources for Indigenous people are available through the KUU-US Crisis Line at (1 800 588 8717).

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes