North Sydney man gets jail term
Sex offender credited for ‘insight’ into his behaviour
HALIFAX — Halifax Regional Police put out a news release last September proclaiming that a high-risk sex offender had been arrested and charged for breaching a peace bond he had signed prior to his release from prison a few days earlier.
What they didn't say was that Jeffrey Daniel MacIntyre had turned himself in at the police station after realizing he was spinning out of control.
MacIntyre handed over his cellphone, which he wasn't allowed to have, and told police he had used it to access the internet, another violation of his conditions.
The 30-year-old man, originally from North Sydney, pleaded guilty in March to two counts of breaching the peace bond imposed in New Brunswick.
MacIntyre was sentenced in Halifax provincial court last week by Judge Gregory Lenehan, who accepted the defence recommendation for two years in a federal penitentiary going forward, followed by two years' probation.
Lenehan said MacIntyre deserved credit for “his insight and his acceptance of responsibility” in turning himself into the authorities.
“I am satisfied that Mr. MacIntyre was seeking help,” the judge said. “He recognized that he was struggling to control his behaviour. … He knew his conduct was consistent with identified risk factors that could lead to him committing further sexual offences against young females.
“He knew this because he had participated in therapy or treatment sessions while he was in prison. He knew the signs, the indication that he was heading towards further serious criminal behaviour.”
POLICE NOTIFY PUBLIC
Police notified the public last Sept. 20 that MacIntyre was residing in the area after getting out of prison and was considered a high-risk offender. He turned himself in three days later.
MacIntyre, who's originally from North Sydney, had just finished serving a 3.5year sentence for possession of child pornography and breaching a 2017 peace bond. He pleaded guilty to those charges in March 2018.
In May 2015, MacIntyre was sentenced to just over two years and five months in a penitentiary after pleading guilty to two counts each of luring a child under 16 for a sexual purpose, breaching a court order and possessing child pornography and single counts of extortion, sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and committing an indecent act.
He served the entire sentence after correctional officials deemed him a high risk to commit a sexual offence involving a child or do serious harm to another person if he was released.
MacIntyre got out of prison in November 2017 but was charged with four counts of breaching the peace bond two days after he signed it. One of the allegations was that he had contacted the victim of the sexual assault for which he had been imprisoned. A nude photo of the teenager was found on his cellphone, resulting in the child pornography charge.
MacIntyre was living at the Salvation Army men's shelter on Gottingen Street in Halifax after his most recent release from prison.
After purchasing the cellphone, MacIntyre used the device to visit numerous websites. He downloaded adult pornography, as well as 138 catalogue photos of young girls modelling undergarments. Those photos did not meet the definition of child pornography.
BREACHES ‘VERY SERIOUS’
“The conditions Mr. MacIntyre was required to comply with were imposed by a court for the purpose of minimizing his risk of reoffending against young females,” Lenehan said. “These breaches are very serious. His blameworthiness is high. The consequences for him and others in similar situations must be significant.
“Counsel agree that Mr. MacIntyre must be separated from society at this time. This is necessary. Nothing short of jail would be appropriate.”
The Crown requested three to four years in prison — a sentence that would not allow for probation, the judge noted.
“What must be remembered is that at the end of Mr. MacIntyre's custodial sentence, he will return to society,” Lenehan said. “Given his record, it is probable that whatever sentence he is given, he will serve his sentence to its warrant expiry date and then be returned to the community.”
He said the sentence recommended by the defence would “provide a much better measure of protection to the community, especially … young females,” and would encourage continued treatment and counselling.
“The (defence) recommendation permits supervision of Mr. MacIntyre for four years going forward,” he said. “For the safety of the public, I believe that that is a muchdesired result.”
Lenehan said he will recommend to correctional officials that MacIntyre receive sexual offender treatment while incarcerated.
The probation order will require MacIntyre to take part in any therapy deemed necessary by his supervisor. He also will be prohibited from possessing or viewing pornography of any kind and cannot possess or use a computer or cellphone for any purpose other than employment.
“Good luck, Mr. MacIntyre,” the judge said.