Sentence Watch

Sexual assault

R. v. M.A.T.

A publication ban applies. The offender is not named.

Crown asked2 years in custody1
Judge imposed2 years in a penitentiary, then 3 years probation1

What the law allows

Maximum10 years
Crown asked2 years in custody
Judge imposed2 years in custody
Defence asked2 years in custody
For sexual assault (CC 271), the Criminal Code currently allows up to 10 years when the Crown proceeds by indictment, with no mandatory minimum. The sentence imposed is 20% of the maximum. Read the section.

The offender pleaded guilty on the day set for trial to sexual assault of an adult complainant in Port Alberni in 2021. Crown and defence jointly proposed two years in a penitentiary followed by three years' probation, and Justice Doyle accepted the joint submission. The judge stressed denunciation and deterrence for a serious sexual assault on a sleeping, vulnerable complainant, and weighed the guilty plea, apologies, sobriety and Gladue factors.

In the judge's words

This is a serious sexual assault. This is a violation of X.X.'s person. She was a vulnerable person--she was asleep. It is unacceptable, and it is criminal.

1

The record

Convicted of
Prior convictions
Not recorded
At the time of the offence
Not stated1
Defence asked for
2 years in custody1
Appeal
Not yet checked
Counsel
Crown: C.S. Proteau
Defence: M. Ritzker

More cases by The Honourable Justice Joseph M. Doyle

  1. September 12, 2025
    R. v. Bujold, 2025 BCSC 1926Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm, Dawson Creek
    24 months custody less 357 days credit (373 days left to serve), then 12 months probation; 10-year weapons prohibition
  2. August 21, 2023
    R. v. Schalm, 2023 BCSC 2594Assault with a weapon, Penticton
    • Below the Crown's ask
    15 months' imprisonment, less 449 days' credit for pre-sentence custody (one day remaining)

More sexual assault cases

  1. September 4, 2026
    R. v. C.O., 2026 BCSC 1859Sexual assault; Voyeurism, Vancouver. Justice Christopher W. Greenwood
    • Below the Crown's ask
    3 years 6 months for sexual assault plus 6 months consecutive for voyeurism (4 years total)
  2. September 3, 2026
    R. v. T.R.S., 2026 BCSC 1726Sexual assault, New Westminster. Justice Baljinder Kaur Girn
    • Below the Crown's ask
    2 years in custody (9 months and 15 months consecutive)
  3. August 10, 2026
    R. v. M.E.G., 2026 BCSC 1676Sexual assault; Forcible confinement, Vancouver. Justice Alan M. Ross
    10 years' incarceration on each count, concurrent, less 323 days' pre-sentence credit
  4. July 31, 2026
    R. v. A.M., 2026 NSSC 262Sexual assault, Sydney. Justice D. Shane Russell
    • Below the Crown's ask
    4 years in custody (2 years consecutive on each of 2 counts), less 1,412 days remand credit; 49 days remaining

All sexual assault cases (97)

More from the Supreme Court of British Columbia

  1. September 18, 2026
    R v Alves, 2026 BCSC 1792Possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking; Production of a Schedule I or II substance; Possession of anything for use in producing or trafficking a controlled substance, Maple Ridge. Justice Terence A. Schultes
    3 years' imprisonment on counts 1 and 2 and 2 years on count 3, concurrent
  2. September 15, 2026
    R. v. C.S.M., 2026 BCSC 1770Manslaughter, Coquitlam. Justice David M. Layton
    2 years and 99 days in custody, less 99 days credit (2 years remaining)
  3. September 11, 2026
    R. v. Dansereau, 2026 BCSC 1781Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; Possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking; Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order, Rossland. Justice Jacqueline D. Hughes
    5 years in custody (3.5 years firearm, concurrent 24 months drug, plus 1.5 years consecutive for breach of weapons prohibition), less 978 days credit
  4. September 11, 2026
    R v Stuart, 2026 BCSC 1783Aggravated assault, Vancouver. Justice Elin Sigurdson
    • Below the Crown's ask
    • No jail for a violent offence
    Two years less one day conditional sentence (201 days credited), followed by probation

All cases from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (520)

More cases in Port Alberni

  1. January 16, 2026
    R. v. A. (E. L.), 2026 BCSC 342Sexual assault. Justice Anthony Saunders
    3 years imprisonment less 348 days credit (2 years and 17 days remaining)
  2. January 13, 2026
    R. v. Walczak, 2026 BCSC 167Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized; Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; Possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order; Contravention of firearm storage regulations; Possession of a weapon obtained by the commission of an offence; Possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon or prohibited device knowing possession is unauthorized; Possession of explosive substance without lawful excuse. Justice Robin A. M. Baird
    7 years' imprisonment (global) less 987 days' pre-sentence credit
  3. December 15, 2025
    R. v. Khouchaba, 2025 BCSC 2592Possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm; Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon. Justice Karrie A. Wolfe
    3 years in custody (36 months on loaded prohibited firearm, 6 months concurrent on prohibited device)
  4. September 16, 2025
    R. v. Alexander, 2025 BCSC 1829Possession of a Schedule I or II substance for the purpose of trafficking. Justice Y. Liliane Bantourakis
    • Below the Crown's ask
    Five years and six months, less 627 days credit for pre-trial custody

All cases in Port Alberni (9)

Sources

  1. R. v. M.A.T., 2024 BCSC 2355 Court decision, CanLII, October 22, 2024[3] The Crown and defence presented a joint submission for a sentence of two years in a penitentiary, probation to follow for three years on various conditions, and a number of ancillary orders.[3] The Crown and defence presented a joint submission for a sentence of two years in a penitentiary, probation to follow for three years on various conditions, and a number of ancillary orders.[35] This is a serious sexual assault. This is a violation of X.X.'s person. She was a vulnerable person--she was asleep. It is unacceptable, and it is criminal.[51] For the offence set out in this Indictment, I sentence you to a period of imprisonment of two years in a penitentiary. [52] That two‑year penitentiary sentence will be followed by three years of probation on the following terms.
  2. Criminal Code, s. 271 Record, Justice Laws Website
  3. R. v. M.A.T., 2024 BCSC 2355 Court decision, Courts of British Columbia

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