Ex-Alberta MLA sent to prison for sex offence involving girl

RED DEER, ALTA. A victim who was touched sexually by a former Alberta politician says she will never forgive the man for destroying her childhood.

Don MacIntyre, 63, resigned in February of last year after he was charged with sexual interference and sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to the first charge in Red Deer, Alta., court Friday and was sentenced to three years in prison. The second charge was to be withdrawn.

The victim cried as she described how the abuse made her give up creative pursuits she loved, gave her nightmares and made her physically ill.

“It hurt my chest and I felt sick to my stomach all the time,” said the young woman, who cannot be identified. “I will carry this rage I have for him to my grave.”

An agreed statement of facts read out in court said MacIntyre touched the victim sexually with a part of his body between Jan. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2011.

The touching happened between five to 10 times when the victim was 10 years old. She told her mother in 2015.

Court heard MacIntyre apologized after the assaults, asked for forgiveness and said it was part of “Satan’s plan to destroy (the victim’s) faith.”

The United Conservative caucus issued a statement Friday condemning MacIntyre.

“We hope this disgusting individual faces the full extent of the law in sentencing for his odious crime. Our thoughts remain with the victim and all those affected at this time.”