Judge praises sex-assault victim, chides boss

HALIFAX — He was her supervisor and sexually abused her for months — repeatedly groping her and making sexual comments, all under the guise of joking around.

Now, a 51-year-old Halifax man has been sentenced to eight months for sexual assault — and the judge is praising the young woman who couldn’t get other managers to help.

“The victim, in spite of an unsupportive business environment in terms of her sexual abuse complaint, came forward with her complaint. This was courageous,” said Judge Marc Chisholm of Halifax provincial court.

Chisholm handed down a sentence of eight months’ incarceration to be served conditionally; such sentences often entail house arrest.

The man pleaded guilty to two sex-assault charges, for incidents during the 2015 Christmas holidays.

His name, and that of the victim, are protected under a publication ban.

The young woman is still suffering from his abuse, the judge said.

One of the incidents was caught on video — he was seen pulling her onto his lap, and putting his hand under her skirt. A few days later, he asked for a hug and fondled her breasts.

The judge noted the man often remarked on her appearance, and told her he’d like to have sex with her. One time, he tickled her until she dropped to the ground.

“On every occasion (she) told the accused no or stop.”

The judge also heard from another female employee who described being hoisted over the man’s shoulder, having to fight him off as he slid his hand up her skirt.

In an effort to get him to stop, the women noted there were cameras recording the scene, but he told them he controlled the recordings, the judge said.

Both women complained to a manager, the judge said, but “their complaints fell on deaf ears.” A written version of Chisholm’s sentence, handed down Sept. 15, was released on Friday.

Chisholm noted the man was fired, but has since been hired elsewhere, and is even up for promotion. The accused — who has a commonlaw wife and four children — is a permanent resident of Canada and faces deportation.

The defence had sought a conditional discharge, but Chisholm said that wouldn’t denounce his behaviour.

“Women’s sexual integrity must be respected. Sentences for persons who sexually assault a woman must reflect this,” the judge said.