A father who sexually molested his daughter and her friend on separate occasions was jailed in Red Deer court Thursday.
The 56-year-old man, whose name is banned to protect the identity of his victims, was sent to jail for nine months after pleading guilty earlier to two counts of sexual interference.
The man’s daughter was 13 when she was first assaulted in January 2009.
Crown prosecutor Robin Joudrey said the accused drove his daughter into the country where he fondled her.
The other two assaults were in their family home in December 2009 and January 2010 when the girl was home sick from school both times.
The daughter’s 12-year-old friend was assaulted when she was on a sleep over at the home of the accused.
Joudrey said what was aggravating was the accused “doesn’t seem to grasp the seriousness of his actions” based on a pre-sentence report by a psychiatrist.
In addition, Joudrey said the accused didn’t think the most serious assault in the country was bad because the girl didn’t seem shocked.
She said the young age of the girls and the fact the father was in a trust position with both of them was aggravating.
Defence lawyer Terry Cody of Sylvan Lake told Judge Bert Skinner his client was “profoundly ashamed” and felt remorse for his actions.
Cody said his client took steps to obtain counselling on his own in the community.
He also said lengthy probation stressing counselling would be helpful.
Skinner also placed the accused on two years of probation following his release from jail and ordered him to surrender a sample of his DNA.
The name of the accused is also placed on a Canada-wide sex offender registry for 20 years and he can’t have contact with the victims for the length of his jail term and probation except if family counselling occurs.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com