Man who abused granddaughter gets one year in jail

Judge also puts man on sex offender registry for 10 years

KITCHENER — A man who sexually abused his four-year-old granddaughter was sent to jail for one year on Wednesday.

The man, in his 60s, pleaded guilty in Kitchener court to sexual interference, defined as sexually touching a person under 16.

While babysitting the girl, he exposed himself and sexually assaulted her.

“The aggravating factors are obvious,” Justice Michael Epstein said. “This was an extremely young child. The sexual activity was invasive. The accused was in a position of trust, which he abused.”

The defence asked for 90 days in jail on weekends. The Crown sought 18 months of straight time.

Epstein said the primary sentencing principles in the case were general deterrence and denunciation.

“It is my view that there must be a significant penalty,” he said. “It is only through sentences imposed in cases of this kind that the court can give effect to society’s abhorrence for this type of offence.

“Young, vulnerable victims such as this must be protected, and Canadian society as a whole must understand that this is a principle recognized by the courts and that the sentence reflects society’s distaste for such conduct.”

The judge said the man’s actions had a “profound effect” on the girl and her family.

Epstein put the man on the sex offender registry for 10 years.

For five years, he can’t attend a park, swimming area, daycare centre, school property, playground or community centre where people under 16 could be present, unless he is accompanied by an adult who knows of his conviction.

Also for five years, he can’t work or volunteer in a position of trust with a person under 16.

He was also ordered to give a DNA sample.

The judge noted the man had depression and anxiety at the time. His guilty plea shows remorse and meant the girl did not have to testify, Epstein said.

The man showed no reaction to the sentence. He waved to two men in the courtroom before being led off to jail.