JUDGE ‘FELT BOUND’ TO GIVE SHORT TERM FOR SEX ASSAULT

A Newfoundland judge says he gave a man who sexually assaulted a teen a shorter sentence than he thought appropriate because he felt bound to accept a joint Crown-defence submission for only four years. The 36-year-old exchanged explicit images with the 14-year-old for months before having sex with her while she was intoxicated. Corner Brook provincial court Judge Wayne Gorman found seven years was an appropriate sentence. A joint submission from the defence and Crown, however, sought a sentence of four years.