Sexual interference, Sexual exploitation of a young person, Sexual assault
R. v. D.C.S.
A publication ban applies. The offender is not named.
Sentence and the Crown's position
Crown asked5 years and 6 months in custody1
Judge imposed6 years' imprisonment (3 years, 2 years and 1 year consecutive)1
What the law allows
Maximum14 years
Crown asked5 years and 6 months in custody
Judge imposed6 years in custody
Minimum1 year
The offender was found guilty after trial of sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation of a young person, for abuse of a child that lasted about six years. The Crown sought 5.5 to 7 years; the offender, who represented himself, made no recommendation. Justice Norton imposed consecutive sentences of 3 years, 2 years and 1 year, for a total of 6 years, citing grooming, escalation and the abuse of a position of trust.
In the judge's words
1As I found at the trial, there was clear evidence of grooming behaviour and escalation of conduct. His moral blameworthiness is accordingly very high.
The record
- Convicted of
- Sexual interference (CC 151)
- Sexual exploitation of a young person (CC 153)
- Sexual assault (CC 271)
- Prior convictions
- Not recorded
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: Nicole Campbell
Sources
- R. v. D.C.S., 2023 NSSC 242 Court decision, CanLII, July 20, 2023
[3] The Crown recommends a custodial sentence of 5.5 to 7 years.
[22] … As I found at the trial, there was clear evidence of grooming behaviour and escalation of conduct. His moral blameworthiness is accordingly very high.
[29] In this case I have determined that a fit and proper sentence is as follows: … calling for a sentence of 3 years. … a consecutive sentence of 2 years. … a consecutive sentence of 1 year. … [30] I have considered that the totality of the sentence of 6 years is not excessive for DCS as an individual.
- R. v. D.C.S., 2023 NSSC 242 Court decision, Courts of Nova Scotia