Man guilty of child pornography offences sentenced to 15 months in jail

Paul Youden carried a plastic grocery store bag with him in the courtroom Thursday morning, in preparation for an inevitable jail sentence.

Holding the bag, he left the room an hour later with a sheriff’s officer, convicted of possessing and accessing child pornography.

The 54-year-old St. John’s man was arrested last September by the RCMP/ RNC’S Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, after an investigation that had begun a year earlier. Police found more than 50 videos and a handful of images on Youden’s laptop and electronic devices, depicting the sexual assault of boys and girls between the ages of five and 15.

Crown prosecutor Nicole Hurley suggested a total jail term of 15 months for Youden, stressing the severely damaging impact child pornography has on young victims, and society’s abhorrence of it.

A Revenue Canada employee for almost three decades, Youden’s employers were in the courtroom taking notes as he was sentenced Thursday.

Youden was suspended from his job when he was charged, defence lawyer Randy Piercey told the court.

“I asked (his employers) and they wouldn’t answer, but clearly his job is at risk,” Piercey said, adding Youden has lost many family members as a result of his crimes.

“He is a man with a great deal of character, despite the idiocy and stupidity of (what he has done),” Piercey said.

Piercey didn’t contest the Crown’s suggested jail term, saying it was appropriate. Youden addressed the court when given the opportunity, apologizing to his family, friends and colleagues for the “shame, pain and embarrassment” he has put them through.

“This is the one and only time I’ll ever be in front of a judge, I promise you that,” he said, adding he would continue to seek counselling and hopes to get his job back.

Judge Colin Flynn sentenced Youden to the suggested 15 months in prison followed by two years of probation, with conditions that he stay away from places children frequent, that he not have contact with anyone under 16 and that he not use a computer except for work purposes.

Youden will also be listed on the sex offender registry for life. As well, Flynn ordered Youden’s laptop and electronic devices destroyed.