Judge jails Nanaimo father for 8 years after sexually assaulting young sons

It will begin after he completes another jail term for an unrelated sex crimes, including abuse toward another minor years after the abuse involving his sons were known.

“From the evidence of these two young children it is clear that they have both been severely traumatized by these events and require professional help and counseling. There are no mitigating factors,” Judge Saunders stated.

She stated the offender’s actions had a devastating impact on the boys, their mother and grandmother, leaving the family in anguish.

The sentence also carries a permanent inclusion on the National Sex Offender registry, a lifetime order to stay away from minors in public spaces and to stay away from the victims, their mother and grandmother.

The boys, now nine and 11-years-old, testified against their father earlier this year in via video feed in court outlining the abuse they suffered years prior when they were both under 5-years-old.

The nine day trial heard the offender squeezed the older son’s genitals when he was just three-years-old in the living room of their Nanaimo home.

A second statement to police from the boy said during the same occasion his nude father laid on top of his nude body, pinning him to the floor.

The younger brother said his abuse involved a single incident estimated to have occurred when he was between two and four-years-old.

Court was told his father pulled the younger brother’s pants down and touched his genitals. The victim stated his father also attempted a penetrative act on him.

The two children both testified that their father had threatened them if they told their mother about his actions.

The father has continually flatly denying the offences.

While the victim’s mother hoped for a longer jail sentence, she’s pleased her ex husband will be locked up for a long time.

She’s not convinced a lengthy jail sentence will lead to some form of closure for her children.

“I want to believe that it’s going to help them but I honestly don’t know. He’s been in jail for months and it hasn’t helped that he’s off the streets and can’t contact them, it hasn’t done any good,” she told NanaimoNewsNOW.

During recent sentencing arguments, the Crown’s Caroline Narroway cited a psychology report of the offender stating he appeared to believe children can enjoy sexual contact with adults and be willing participants if physical coercion or violence is not involved.

The psychologist found the offender has a pedophilic disorder and is a moderate risk to re-offend.

Court was told both victims have suffered substantially as a result of the abuse they faced. The boy’s mother reported her youngest son has more acute needs, has violent outbursts and suicidal tendencies.

The offender does not have mental health or substance abuse issues, two pre-sentence reports submitted for the court showed.

He chose not to formally address the court when given the chance during sentencing arguments.

Defence lawyer Peter Hertzberg argued for a term of six years in jail and told Judge Saunders his client agrees he needs sex offender treatment.

The offender is already serving a federal jail sentence for serious sex offences, including abusing a minor in Nanaimo several years after the current case arose.

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On Twitter: @reporterholmes

by Ian Holmes

Judge jails Nanaimo father for 8 years after sexually assaulting young sons

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