A young offender was issued an 18-month intensive support and supervision order following a sexual assault of his former girlfriend. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

young offender

Nanaimo youth sentenced for disturbing sexual assault

Jul 5, 2022 | 5:30 AM

Editors note: this article contains details of sexual violence and may not be suitable for some readers. Discretion is advised.

NANAIMO — A teenager who sexually assaulted his former girlfriend while she slept received an 18-month intensive support and supervision order, which will include treatment at a residential facility.

A 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named, was sentenced last week in provincial court in Nanaimo after he pleaded guilty to a sexual assault charge in relation to an incident in May 2021 in Nanaimo.

“Your Honour obviously this is a very concerning case given that [redacted] was in a relationship with the complainant, she was obviously quite vulnerable,” Crown prosecutor Leanne Mascolo said.

Mascolo told court the victim was hospitalized the following day, noting the offender admitted to his actions at the hospital.

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A psychiatrist and psychologist authored separate reports delving into the offender’s background and thought process.

Alcohol misuse and marijuana consumption plagued the youth, according to the reports, who was flagged for being a risk for future sexual offending.

Judge Ron Lamperson said while the youth has many positive attributes he’s a complicated person.

“He expresses limited empathy for the victim, this appears to be to garner social approval. Any remorse is at a cognitive level in order to avoid incarceration, he has many cognitive distortions. That’s a serious concern.”

Judge Lamperson said he’s encouraged the youth no longer uses hard drugs and receives ongoing counselling.

The offender is expected to begin a four month tenure at a residential treatment facility later this summer to focus on his substance use issues, while he’ll also receive treatment for his sexual offending.

“You’re really at a crossroads now, you’ve got a youth conviction, you’re not going to jail. There are a lot of resources that will be available through this 18-month order I’ve just made,” Judge Lamperson said.

A victim impact statement was not submitted.

The offender’s father reported he felt his son’s actions were the result of misguided experimentation and poor impulse control amplified by excessive alcohol consumption.

Defence lawyer Chris Churchill said substance use played a primary role in his client going down the wrong path several years ago.

“You will have seen the reports, excellent attendance until about grade eight, then things plummeted, that’s when the substance use and a different peer group appeared,” Churchill told the court.

Churchill said he believes the various interventions in place will greatly reduce his client’s re-offending risk.

The offender was ordered to provide a DNA sample and instructed to have no contact with the victim for the duration of the supervision order.

Editors note: Certain facts presented in court were excluded from this article to further protect the victim’s identity. Offenders under the age of 18 fall under a publication ban under the Youth Justice Act.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes