The offender, Ronald Philip Beer, was convicted of sexual assault committed in 1992, which resulted in the victim conceiving and raising a child alone.
The Crown sought a sentence of five to six years, while the defence argued for a conditional sentence of two years less a day.
The court determined that a conditional sentence was legally available despite the offence predating the sentencing scheme, applying s. 11(i) of the Charter.
However, considering the severe, life-altering impact on the victim, the resulting pregnancy, the offender's lack of remorse, and the pre-sentence report indicating a risk of re-offending, the court found denunciation and deterrence to be paramount.
The court sentenced the offender to four years of incarceration, along with ancillary orders including a DNA sample, a 10-year weapons prohibition, lifetime Sex Offender Information Registration, and a non-communication order with the victim.
