A former Red Deer man who pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexually abusing four girls, including his young daughter, now faces a long-term offender hearing.
The 51-year-old pleaded guilty to five sex-related charges in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench. The Crown withdrew eight other charges.
His name cannot be revealed under a court-ordered ban to protect the identities of the victims.
The offences occurred in communities south of Red Deer between 1995 and 2005. The ages of the victims at the time of the offences ranged from young children around six to a girl who was about 13.
Justice A.B. Moen adjourned the case until today so hopefully a date can be set for mid-June to conduct a long-term offender hearing.
Chief Crown prosecutor Anders Quist said that he and defence lawyer Patty MacNaughton had reached agreement on the length of sentence but it will be determined by Moen when she hears the long-term offender arguments.
Quist said he expects to call about four witnesses, including psychiatrists, at the hearing. MacNaughton also intends to call evidence.
The man was examined by psychiatric staff at Alberta Hospital Edmonton last year to determine whether it was appropriate to have him declared a dangerous or long-term offender.
Hospital officials recommended that long-term offender status was the best option.
A long-term offender receives a jail sentence followed by two to 10 years of court-ordered supervision. A dangerous offender can be jailed indefinitely.
The man, who had moved to Ontario, entered a psychiatric hospital in January 2007 to be treated and then confessed to his crimes to Kitchener police, who then contacted Alberta RCMP.
Two Kitchener area detectives were in court on Tuesday to testify if needed.
The accused was arrested and returned to Red Deer last April and has been in custody since.
The lawyers have agreed to a jail term of more than two years but that could be rejected by the judge.
Moen said the starting point for similar crimes is three years in jail.
The accused would receive credit for the year he has spent in jail. Most likely it will be equated to two years based on current accepted principles by Alberta judges.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com