Pelham stable owner gets probation for sexual assault

A Pelham equestrian instructor will have his name added to the nation’s sex offender registry for the next 10 years after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenaged girl.

James Corbett was convicted last October of sexual assault as well as two counts of assault involving separate victims.

Ten additional charges against him were dismissed at that time.

In Ontario Court of Justice in Welland on Wednesday, the 61-yearold was placed on probation for 12 months and ordered to stay away from the victims.

Judge Tory Colvin said while the 18-year-old victim of the sexual assault was “seriously emotionally scarred by this incident,” any sentence imposed had to be proportionate to the gravity of the offence.

“In sentencing, the nature and level of severity must play a large role.”

Most of the offences took place at Cedar Ridge Stables, a four-hectare facility in Pelham, where Corbett was both owner and lead trainer.

The 18-year-old victim was a member of Cedar Ridge’s show riding team.

She testified at trial she was taking care of her horse in the barn in November 2015, when Corbett approached her and put his arms around her waist. He then put his hands inside her shirt on her back. She pulled away and went back to tending to her horse.

A little while later, Corbett called her behind the barn. There he took hold of her, slid his hands down to her buttocks and attempted to kiss her.

The two assault charges stem from Corbett giving unwanted hugs to two young women.

Colvin said the first-time offender has “an outstanding reputation in the equestrian world.”

He also has a reputation of being a “huggy” hands-on coach. Court heard earlier that many students and co-workers welcomed his hugs.

“He does not recognize when hugs are not welcome,” the judge said, adding defendant lacks a “social antenna.”

Colvin told the victims he hopes they will be able to put the matter behind them and move on with their lives.

“You are no less talented, no less intelligent and no less capable than before you were victimized,” he said.

At trial, Corbett, who was represented by lawyer George Walker, admitted to hugging the 18-yearold.

He also said he gave her “a peck on the cheek.”

Corbett was initially arrested Nov. 19, 2015, after Niagara Regional Police conducted an investigation into the 18-year-old’s complaint.

Following his arrest, and a media release issued by police, 11 additional complainants come forward alleging inappropriate behaviour.

The judge ruled at trial there were inconsistencies in testimony relating to the other complaints.