Sexual interference, Obtaining sexual services for consideration from a person under 18
R. v. M.A.R.
A publication ban applies. The offender is not named.
Sentence and the Crown's position
What the law allows
The offender pleaded guilty to obtaining the sexual services of a person under 18 for consideration and to sexual interference with a 15-year-old girl in Halifax between 2022 and 2023. The Crown, which had first proposed four and a half years, and the defence both asked for four years. Justice Brothers imposed four years on each count, concurrent, less 1,275 days of remand credit, citing denunciation and deterrence, the offender's high moral blameworthiness and his significant criminal record, including manslaughter.
In the judge's words
1It is in the range of sentences referred to by the parties and is also faithful in relation to parity principles with another accused already sentenced on this same indictment. While this is in relation to one victim, it is a person who was 15 years old at the time of the offence, and in relation to an offender who has a significant criminal record.
The record
- Convicted of
- Sexual interference (CC 151)
- Obtaining sexual services for consideration from a person under 18 (CC 286.1(2))
- Prior convictions
- 21 prior convictions, 2 violent1
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Defence asked for
- 4 years in custody1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: Katharine Lovett, Josie McKinney
Defence: Patrick J. Eagan
Sources
- R. v. M.A.R., 2025 NSSC 412 Court decision, CanLII, December 18, 2025
[2] The Crown originally agreed that a fit and appropriate sentence in this case was one of 4.5 years’ custody on each count, to be served concurrently. At the sentencing hearing and based on the sentence given in R v Mahar, 2025 NSSC 399, the Crown revised its position and instead sought a sentence of four years in custody on each count to be served concurrently.
[103] The defence and Crown now agree that a fit and appropriate sentence is a four-year sentence of imprisonment, less remand.
[36] … has a criminal record consisting of 21 prior convictions, spanning from 2001 to 2017. In 2017, he received a custodial sentence of just short of 8.5 years for manslaughter committed in Calgary, Alberta. … Assault pursuant to section 266 CC (Abbotsford, BC)
[103] … It is in the range of sentences referred to by the parties and is also faithful in relation to parity principles with another accused already sentenced on this same indictment. While this is in relation to one victim, it is a person who was 15 years old at the time of the offence, and in relation to an offender who has a significant criminal record.
[103] … Given the circumstances of the offences, considering the guilty plea an appropriate sentence for … is four years’ custody on each count to run concurrently. … [108] As of the date of sentencing (December 18, 2025), … has spent 850 days in custody. With enhanced remand credit calculated at 1:1.5 days, … has 1,275 days of enhanced remand credit.
- R. v. M.A.R., 2025 NSSC 412 Court decision, Courts of Nova Scotia