Grandfather gets 2-year sentence for sex assaults

Editor’s Note: The following story contains graphic sexual content that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is strongly recommended.

Two sexual assaults on his own granddaughter resulted Thursday in a two-year prison term for a Summerland man who maintains his innocence.

“These circumstances are very sad. Relationships have been ruined. The impact on the victim is impossible to assess given the information I have, but in any event will likely only be known in the years to come,” B.C. Supreme Court Justice Allan Betton said in his reasons for sentence.

“The community must know these matters are treated seriously.”

The 55-year-old man, whose name is subject to a publication ban in order to protect the identity of his granddaughter, was sentenced on two counts each of sexual assault and invitation to sexual touching. He was convicted following trial earlier this year.

Once released from prison, he will be banned for 10 years from visiting parks, schools or other places where children under the age of 16 may be present, and prohibited from holding any positions of trust over kids. His name will also be placed on the national sex offender registry.

The judge described how the victim, who is now 10, was at her grandfather’s home in the summer of 2014 when he asked her to undress and climb into his bed.

The man had the girl lick his penis, then he performed oral sex on her. He also laid on top of the girl and simulated intercourse.

In February 2015, he again had the girl undress in his bedroom and had her touch his penis with her hand, and again simulated intercourse afterwards.

The incident ended when the girl told her grandfather she wanted to watch TV, but instead called her mom and reported what had happened.

Reading from a pre-sentencing report written by a probation officer, Betton noted the man, described as a functioning alcoholic, still denies the offences happened, suggesting instead the girl fabricated the incidents to hurt her mother or for some other unexplained reason.

“There is no remorse or acknowledgement of the offending, thus it is difficult to have confidence rehabilitation can be achieved,” said Betton.

Crown counsel Nashina Devji recommended a sentence of up to 3 1/2 years, while defence counsel Don Skogstad suggested two years. The victim wasn’t in court. The man had three supporters in the public gallery. One of them, a woman who described herself as a friend, also maintained his innocence.

“He didn’t f-----g do it,” she said outside court.