A man who confessed to a counsellor about a sexual assault on a child about a decade ago was sentenced to a jail term on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old Central Alberta man was jailed for a year and placed on probation for two years following his release.
The man, whose identity is subject to a publication ban because it could identify the victim, pleaded guilty to inviting sexual touching.
Charges of sexual assault and sexual interference were withdrawn by Crown prosecutor Robin Joudrey in exchange for the guilty plea.
Red Deer provincial court Judge Jim Hunter heard that the accused touched the girl, who was six at the time, on just one occasion when he was living with the girl’s mother.
He confessed to a counsellor last January and the counsellor was compelled by law to report the incident to police.
However, court heard the accused phoned police first and confessed.
Joudrey, who sought a jail term of 12 to 18 months, said the pre-sentence report, which involved a psychological assessment, indicated the accused placed the blame on the victim and didn’t take responsibility for his actions.
“He had a number of excuses.”
It happened because he was depressed or stressed, Joudrey added.
The accused did accept responsibility in court and said he didn’t blame the victim.
Hunter said the psychological impact on the victim may never be fully known.
“It’s a given there’s psychological damage to a child with this type of abuse,” Hunter said.
Defence lawyer Michael Scrase said his client should receive a “short, sharp sentence” that would allow him to continue counselling he’s started on his own.
Scrase said in mitigation, his client confessed, so the victim didn’t need to testify.
The judge said he was troubled by the accused telling his lawyer he accepted responsibility but the report differed.
Hunter also expressed concern about the long-term possible risk for the accused, who may have “tailored” his responses to the psychologist in the report to put himself in a better light.
The name of the accused is also placed on a Canada-wide sex offender registry for 20 years. He must also surrender a sample of his DNA and is banned for life from visiting places where children could reasonably be expected to be found.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com