Sentencing Friday in Craigslist sex assault

A Hamilton man who repeatedly sexually assaulted his former girlfriend’s young daughter and advertised online for others to join in that abuse is expected to learn his sentence Friday.

But for the family of the young victim, who was six and seven at the time of the horrific abuse, the 15 years recommended by the Crown is not enough.

“My niece has a life sentence ahead of her,” said the girl’s aunt, who cannot be named to protect the young victim’s identity.

The man, who similarly cannot be named, previously pleaded guilty to sexual interference, making child pornography and possession of child pornography.

For nearly a year, he would routinely carry the girl downstairs at night while the rest of the house slept, dress her in lingerie, sexually assault her and record that abuse. He then advertised on Craigslist to arrange for others to participate.

He also pleaded guilty to voyeurism for secretly recording a teenaged older sister in the bathroom of their Hamilton home.

During sentencing submissions last month, his lawyer, Corey Cornale, suggested 10 years. Assistant Crown attorney Janet Booy asked for 15 years in prison, calling the trauma that the girl faced “unfathomable.”

“A fair sentence in this case is 15 years,” she said in court. “Ten years for sexual interference, three years for making pornography, two for possession of pornography and concurrent for the voyeurism.”

Upset over the proposed sentence, the girl’s aunt wrote letters to the Crown and attorney general.

“We were all shocked at your recommendation to hand down a 15-year sentence. We have tried and failed to understand how this is fair or just,” she wrote.

Reached by email, Booy said all submissions in the case have been made and the decision is now in the hands of the judge.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of the Attorney General said she couldn’t comment on private communications from the public or on matters still before the courts.

However, Emilie Smith said generally “Crown counsel recognize the importance of their role and responsibilities in seeking the appropriate punishment in a criminal trial.”

The Crown’s recommended sentence is based on the facts of the case, impact on victims, public safety, relevant case law and sentencing principles set out in the Criminal Code, Smith added.

“Although Crown counsel can recommend a sentence to the Court, the final imposition of the sentence remains the discretion of the judge.”

Three other adults have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced in the case.