K. McCleave

The accused, a stepfather, pleaded guilty to sexual assault contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code.

The victim was his stepdaughter, aged 13-15 years old at the time of the offences.

The assaults occurred between 2013 and August 2015 and included four incidents involving digital penetration and inappropriate touching.

The court considered the Charter right to the benefit of the lesser punishment under section 11(i) where the offence date straddled an amendment to sentencing provisions.

The court imposed an eight-month jail sentence followed by two years of probation, along with DNA order, SOIRA order for 10 years, and a five-year weapons prohibition.

The offender was convicted by a jury of second degree murder for his role in the stabbing death of the victim, whose body was subsequently burned and dumped in a ditch.

The Crown sought a parole ineligibility period of 20 years, while the defence argued for 12 to 14 years.

The court considered the brutal nature of the group attack, the extensive efforts to destroy evidence, and the offender's continued violent behaviour while in custody.

The court sentenced the offender to life imprisonment with no eligibility for parole for 15 years.