Wortman convicted of breaking bail conditions
Robin Wortman shook his head in apparent disbelief Monday after a Calgary judge found him guilty of four breaches of his release conditions.
The former member of the board of directors of the Calgary Homeless Foundation later told court he was hoping for a more favourable outcome.
“I’ve been in custody almost six months because I felt that the bail conditions were vague,” Wortman told provincial court Judge Mark Tyndale.
“I was hoping for a better outcome today,” Wortman said, as he asked to adjourn his sentencing hearing so he can find a new lawyer.
After Tyndale found Wortman guilty of four of five alleged breach conditions, defence lawyer James Salimi asked to be removed as counsel because of a breakdown in his relationship with the offender.
Tyndale suggested adjourning two weeks for Wortman, 63, to get a new lawyer, but the offender asked for a shorter delay.
“The remand (centre) is not a holiday,” he said.
Tyndale found Wortman guilty of breaching release conditions imposed upon him as he awaits trial on multiple charges, including sexual exploitation of minors and internet luring.
Tyndale said Wortman demonstrated a “cavalier” attitude toward his bail conditions when he accessed the internet and took part in, or attempted to take part in, events where he knew children would be present.
Two of the conditions of his release were that he not possess a device capable of accessing the internet and that he not attend events where children would likely be present.
Wortman was also convicted of attending an establishment whose main purpose is the provision of internet access and attempting to organize an event where he would have a position of trust over minors.
Wortman was a resident of the Salvation Army Centre of Hope, where he used their computer lab, while on release on his outstanding charges, which are scheduled to go to trial in February.
Tyndale noted Wortman indicated to his parole officer he felt his release conditions “were unreasonably restricting his ability to find employment.”
“He railed that the conditions violated his rights,” the judge said of Wortman’s discussions with his release supervisor.
On Feb. 17, Wortman attended a Metis Nation of Alberta business mixer, dinner and dance, at the Albert Community Hall.
“In my view, a community hall is a place where children and youth can reasonably be expected to be found,” Tyndale said, noting at least two children attended the dinner, but Wortman remained.
Wortman also attempted to organize a Metis community event, knowing it would include children.
“The only rational interpretation of the uncontroverted evidence reveals Mr. Wortman deliberately seeking to organize an event which would necessarily put him in a position of trust, or authority toward children.”
He remains in custody pending resolution of his case.