Man jailed for luring minor

A 54-year-old man who thought he was performing sexual acts over the Internet for a teenage girl was sent to jail in provincial court in Georgetown on Thursday.

Lorne Thomas Stevens was charged for luring a minor over the Internet.

But while he thought his sexual fantasies were being observed by a 14-year-old girl in Abbotsford, B.C., he discovered the only one watching was an RCMP officer.

“The accused may have no prior record, but this wasn’t his first dance,’’ said Judge Nancy Orr, during the sentencing of the case that began last year.

While it was fortunate that it was not a teenage girl at the other end, court was told the accused believed it was and continued his deviant behaviour – even instructing the victim how to use the webcam properly.

“I consider that a high end offence,” the judge said.

Orr sentenced Stevens to 18 months in jail and probation for three years. He will be on the sex offender registry list for 20 years.