Karen Papadopoulos

The Crown appealed the sentence imposed on the respondent for sexual offences involving three young victims.

The Court of Appeal found that a penitentiary sentence was required due to numerous aggravating factors, including the respondent's position of trust, the young age of the victims, the frequency of the offences, and the devastating impact on the victims.

The Court also noted the respondent's lack of insight and speculative prospects for rehabilitation.

The appeal was allowed, and the sentence was increased to four-and-a-half years' imprisonment.

The appellant appealed his conviction for criminal harassment, arguing he lacked the requisite mens rea because he attempted to disguise himself and hide his presence from the complainant.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, finding that the trial judge was entitled to infer recklessness from the proven facts, including that the appellant drove slowly past the complainant's gym twice in a distinctive car and ran onto the street as her vehicle was leaving.