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Nanaimo pedophile to serve 6-year prison sentence for ‘vile’ sex crimes

Mar 11, 2019 | 1:54 PM

NANAIMO — A man who pleaded guilty to a series of disturbing sex crimes, including offences against a young child, was sent to prison for six years by a B.C. Supreme Court judge in Nanaimo.

The 42-year-old offender was emotional as he was led away by sheriffs on Monday following Justice Stephen Kelleher’s ruling.

A sweeping publication ban applies to the case which does not allow the accused to be identified to protect the identity of the victim. The Crown lobbied for five to eight years in prison, while the defence suggested two to three years behind bars.

On top of his sentence, the man will appear on the National Sex Offender registry for life, while he’ll also face 20-years of additional post-release conditions to restrict his contact with minors.

The man recently pleaded guilty to possessing and making child pornography and sexual assault related to offences between April 2015 and September 2017.

In an agreed statement of facts it was revealed the accused used a cell phone to film himself sexually assaulting a young child.

Court was told the offender threw his iPhone in the toilet of his home to potentially destroy evidence prior to his arrest by Nanaimo RCMP. Police were responding to a complaint.

The offender was also in possession of more than 1,400 unique child porn images, court was told.

A laptop search uncovered videos of men sexually assaulting young children.

Prior to being sent to jail, the accused made a brief statement to the court.

“I’m extremely remorseful for my actions, I’ve devoted my life to becoming a better person and helping others,” he said.

Justice Kelleher outlined progress the offender made through mental health and substance abuse support.

However, the judge also referenced a psychological report from a doctor who cited concerning attitudes from the man, including condoning sexual violence.

“It is my opinion, based on all of the available information, including structured professional guidelines for assessing sexual violence, (the accused’s) risk for future sexual offending is moderate to high,” the doctor wrote.

The psych report stated the offender suffered from depression, anxiety and alcoholism.

Justice Kelleher said the gravity of the offences and the level of breach of trust were both significant.

“The offender’s actions here were especially vile, reprehensible and degrading.”

The offender lost his family and career as a result of his actions, Justice Kelleher said.

 

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes