The unidentified offender was jailed during a B.C Supreme Court decision from Justice Joel Groves in Nanaimo on Thursday, May 29. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

jail sentence

Nanaimo man jailed for sexual abuse of infant daughter

May 29, 2025 | 11:47 AM

Editor’s note: this article contains details of sexual abuse involving a child, which may not be suitable for some readers. Discretion is strongly advised.

NANAIMO — A man was handed a two-and-a-half-year jail sentence for a disturbing series of crimes, including abusing his 19-month-old daughter.

The offender, who can’t be named to protect the victim’s identity, was handed his punishment by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Joel Groves in Nanaimo on Thursday, May 29.

While outlining his decision, justice Groves said the circumstances of this case are tragic, and while not diminishing the significance of what occurred, the long-term repercussions on the victim “seemed to be less than what would normally expect,” in a case like this.

“The victim was a young child at the time of the sexual assault and sexual touching, and there is no suggestion that she has a memory of the incident. The lack of physical damage, the lack of penetration to the body of the victim, or any other noted or damaging physical interference with the victim, has meant that this victim…did not suffer physical harm that is known as a result of the illegal and immoral actions of Mr. *******.”

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Groves said based on the evidence in front of him, this appeared to be a one-time event.

He was convicted of three sex crimes in April 2023 following a 10-day trial.

Mitigating factors included the man being a first-time offender and supporting a young family prior to the incident, although justice Groves acknowledged the man did struggle at times due to mental health reasons, stating, “his entire life has been a struggle.”

However, the “considerable” aggravating factors included the victim being completely defenceless, vulnerable, reliant on the care of others in a position of trust, and it occurring in a family home where the victim was supposed to be safe.

“It is not certain as to how the effect of the accused actions will ultimately affect this child in the future, in the perhaps likely circumstance that she becomes aware of what happened to her in the future when she was an infant of 19 months in age,” said Groves.

“It cannot be said that Mr.******* is traditionally remorseful. He has not articulated a full-throated apology, or taken other actions which might be available, traditionally associated with remorseful conduct.”

With over 25 years of experience as a judge, Justice Groves said he believes the emotion the man showed during court proceeding was genuine, and he is remorseful his actions caused such harm to his family, instead of simply feeling sorry for himself.

Trial
During the trial, the offender’s former partner testified that she viewed a short video on the offender’s phone of him masturbating and rubbing his penis against his daughter’s vagina in their living room.

She quickly hid the phone in their home and immediately took her young daughter to the hospital.

The video could not be retrieved.

He denied deleting it, however, a thumbnail image of the abuse was recovered, which was consistent with what the mother described.

The offender’s legal counsel unsuccessfully attempted to argue he should not be found criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.

He testified that he didn’t remember his confession to police and that he suffers from a form of insomnia, which caused him to sleepwalk and behave without him being aware of what he was doing.

During sentencing arguments in March, Crown prosecutor Joanna Simpson requested a prison sentence of six to nine years, while defence attorney Tim Russell suggested a two-year provincial jail sentence.

In addition to abusing his own daughter, a collection of 16 images determined to be child sex abuse material was found on the offender’s phone.

The offender’s ex-wife provided a gut-wrenching victim impact statement to the court, stating her family has been shattered into a million pieces.

Prior relationships with friends are gone and replaced with judgment and fear, she stated.

“My trust has been completely broken, as well as my heart. But most of all, I’m saddened for our children. They’re hurt, sad, mad, and confused.”

A psychological assessment detailed the deep remorse the offender felt for his actions, who repeatedly claimed he didn’t recall what he did to his daughter.

He’s considered a low risk to re-offend and was not diagnosed with any pedophilic or mental disorder.

The offender declined to speak after being sentenced prior to being led away in handcuffs, keeping his head bowed and in his hands, sobbing quietly while his sentence was being delivered, a similar reaction he’s displayed in court since his first appearance.

Speaking directly to the man after his sentence was delivered, Justice Groves said he hopes the man is able to work with authorities and get help while in custody.

“You still have a long life to live with the possibility of establishing yourself with your children, and it is my hope that you are able to do that, sir. Good luck to you.”

The man will serve a further one year and 11 months due to credit for time already served.

He was also given a 10-year firearms ban, a lifetime ban on restricted weapons, and must submit a DNA sample.

The man’s name will appear on the National Sex Offender Registry for 20 years.

He’ll serve his sentence at an institution to be selected by B.C. Corrections.

– with files from Ian Holmes

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