SEX OFFENDER, 18, GETS PRISON TIME

Richard Joseph Leclair sentenced to two years in custody after sexually assaulting teen

A P.E.I. man who sexually assaulted a girl who was younger than 16 was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison.

Richard Joseph Leclair, 18, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing after previously entering a guilty plea.

The sentence came after a joint recommendation with Crown attorney Gerald Quinn saying the impact on the victim was “tremendous”.

During a previous appearance, the court heard that in August Leclair started by cuddling with the victim but persisted with his sexual advances, despite her saying no.

Leclair eventually had unprotected intercourse with the victim.

He has been in custody since August.

Defence lawyer Thane MacEachern said Leclair accepts full responsibility for his actions and has an appreciation of the impact he had.

In sentencing Leclair, Orr followed a joint recommendation and said he committed a very serious sexual assault.

A victim impact statement showed the devastating impact it had on the girl, Orr said.

She also told Leclair that when a person says no, it means no.

“It doesn’t mean try a little harder.”

Leclair will serve his sentence in a federal prison and will be on probation for two years after his release.

The conditions of his probation include not having any contact with the victim and complying with electronic monitoring, if directed.

On Wednesday, Leclair also pleaded guilty to defrauding a woman in Summerside after he put empty envelopes in her account and withdrew a total of $400.

Orr sentenced him to one month in jail concurrent to his other sentence.

Leclair will be under a weapons prohibition for 10 years after his release and must provide a DNA sample for the national databank.

His name will be on the sex offender registry for 20 years.