Cheticamp man going to jail for sex abuse of two girls

A Cheticamp man was sentenced Thursday to a 14-month provincial jail sentence having earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of gross indecency.

George Maurice Reid, 70, committed the offences between October 1981 and November 1987 in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

The offences involved two young girls. At the time, one victim said the abuse occurred between the ages of eight and nine while the second was between seven and 10.

Prosecutor Shane Russell told the court that one victim told police there were numerous incidents of Reid touching her vagina and breasts and having her touch his penis.

The second victim, he said, told investigators Reid would routinely expose his penis to her and urge her touch it or kiss it. She said she never complied.

In recommending a two-year federal sentence, Russell said Reid’s actions were not isolated and that he treated the children as sex objects.

Defence lawyer James Snow recommended a sentence in a provincial jail — two years less a day — and also urged the court to consider a conditional sentence that would allow Reid the opportunity to serve his time in the community under strict conditions.

Provincial court Judge Peter Ross rejected a conditional sentence explaining it would not be a strong enough deterrent.

Snow said his client has received numerous messages wishing him ill-will.

Prior to the sentencing, Reid told the court he has no explanation for what he did.

“They (the victims) are not to blame for anything. I hold no animosity towards anyone but myself,” he said.

In passing sentence, the judge said the harm Reid caused will be serious and long lasting.

“He knew what he was doing was wrong,” said Ross, adding the offences were not at the lower end of the scale.

In addition to the jail sentence, Reid will be a registered sex offender for 20 years and is banned from attending places where children under 16 are likely to gather for 10 years. The same prohibition applies to volunteering with any group serving young people. His is also to submit a DNA sample to the national registry.

He is also banned for life from possessing firearms and is to complete a two-year probation period following his jail sentence.