Reasons for Decision

Dangerous Offender Application

Court File No.: CR-22-00000063-0000
Date of Judgment: March 7, 2025
Heard: January 30, 2025
Court: Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Between:
His Majesty the King – and – Darren James Gaspe

Appearances:
G. Skerkowski, for the Crown
P. Casey, for the defendant

Presiding Judge: Thomas Carey

Introduction

[1] Following guilty pleas from Mr. Gaspe and a joint submission from counsel, I found Mr. Gaspe to be a Dangerous Offender and imposed a total determinate sentence of seven years and three months, less time already served, followed by an eight-year Long Term Supervision Order. In addition, a number of mandatory and discretionary ancillary orders were made.

Reasons for Brevity

[2] Given the thoroughness of Dr. Gray’s report and the Gladue Report, as well as counsel’s submissions, and the need for timeliness of my Reasons, they need not be lengthy.

Assessment of the Offender

[3] Dr. Gray’s report is optimistic that Darren is motivated to use positive behaviors in the future when confronted by life’s stressors, rather than resorting to the voyeuristic and exhibitionist behaviors that led to these convictions. In his remarks in court, he appeared remorseful and determined to avoid further interaction with the criminal justice system. He indicated genuine empathy for the victims and seemed appropriately affected by the emotional and understandably angry reading of one of the victim’s impact statement. He is clearly intelligent and appears to have insight into his past behaviors.

Appropriateness of the Joint Submission

[4] The joint submission is an appropriate one, informed by Dr. Gray’s excellent report, the Gladue report, the cited case law and Darren Gaspe’s input. I am grateful to both counsel for their collaboration on the joint position. I would recommend that given Darren’s Indigenous roots and identity that he be considered for a Correctional Service Canada Healing Lodge or, if unavailable, a CSC facility that offers the Pathways Program, as recommended in Ms. van den Brink Lewis’s very helpful Gladue Report.

Purpose and Impact of the Sentence

[5] It is my hope that the victims of these very serious offences and members of the community understand that both the punitive and restorative aspects of this sentence and Long Term Supervision Order are designed to protect society from further criminal behaviour from Mr. Gaspe. This is a lengthy sentence that reflects expert input on this offender’s background, previous offences and present motivation. Both society and Mr. Gaspe will benefit from his successful completion of this sentence.

Thomas Carey
Released: March 7, 2025