The offender, J.B., was found guilty after trial of sexual assault and sexual interference against J.M., the daughter of a friend and neighbor.
The offences occurred over approximately two years, when J.M. was between 10 and 12 years old, involving multiple incidents of sexual touching and vaginal penetration.
The court considered aggravating factors including the victim's young age, the extended duration and high degree of physical interference, the offender's breach of a father-like position of trust, and the profound impact on the victim.
Mitigating factors included no prior criminal record and community support.
Gladue principles were considered but found to have a weak causal link to the offender's criminality.
The Crown sought a sentence of 10 to 12 years, while the defence sought 5 years.
The court imposed a 9-year penitentiary sentence for sexual interference, with the sexual assault count stayed under the Kienapple principle.
Ancillary orders included a 20-year Sex Offender Information Registration Act order, a 10-year weapons prohibition, a DNA order, a no-contact order with the complainant and her mother while in custody, and a lifetime s. 161 order.