Lethbridge Courthouse. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge man sentenced for sexual contact with a child

Jan 17, 2020 | 11:14 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A man from Lethbridge will spend 90 days in jail, serve two years of probation intermittently, and face numerous terms and restrictions following an incident with his step-granddaughter.

In Court of Queen’s Bench on Friday, January 17th, the 65-year-old received his sentence.

Both his name and the name of the victim are protected under a publication ban.

He was originally charged with one count each of sexual contact with a child and sexual exploitation. He was found guilty of the first charge and had the second charge withdrawn.

The child, who was between the ages of seven and eight at the time, reported on July 7, 2019, that the man had touched her inappropriately.

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The man was in a relationship with the victim’s grandmother and lived with her.

Court heard that the girl was at her grandmother’s and was watching TV in the living room.

The man, reportedly in a “foggy state”, invited the child onto his lap.

He then grabbed her hand and forced her to touch his groin.

The girl got up and told her step-grandfather that she needed to go to the bathroom to pee, but he proceeded to grab her arm again to bring her back to the couch.

The child was able to get away but did not mention the incident for a period of time.

The presiding judge was told that this was a singular incident and was “completely out of character” for the man. He has no prior criminal record.

He was said to have been embarrassed by what happened and showed remorse for his actions. He was cooperative with police.

The judge told the man that, while his guilty plea and admission of guilt are mitigating factors, she believes they are still “very damaging crimes of opportunity” that might affect the victim’s mental health for the rest of her life, especially as he held a position of trust over her.

A joint submission was entered by the crown and defense that will see the man spend 90 days in custody and be under probation for a two-year period following his release.

He will be prohibited from visiting schools, playgrounds, parks, pools, or other facilities where youths under the age of 16 are likely to congregate.

The man is to have no contact with the victim and her mother. While the man and the child’s grandmother are no longer in a relationship, they can continue to pursue their joint business venture.

He must also have no contact with anyone else under the age of 16 unless there is direct supervision by their parents. The man will be able to attend church as he regularly does, but will again not be able to be close to anyone under 16 unless they are accompanied by their parents.

He will be able to keep in contact with his own grandchildren, who reside in Manitoba, but only if their mother – the man’s daughter – can closely supervise.

Under the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, he will be required to submit a DNA sample to Lethbridge Police Service.