A 38-year-old Sudbury man who participated in a prolonged sexual relationship with a young teenager was sentenced to 18 months in jail Monday.
The sentence imposed against the accused was added on top of the six months he?s already spent in pre-trial custody.
The accused, who had no previous criminal record, pleaded guilty to sexual assault. He admitted to having a sexual relationship with a young girl starting when she was age 13 that lasted well over a year between early 2001 and the summer of 2002.
The accused and his wife had once attempted to adopt the girl and she considered them as her parents for several years, court heard.
Justice Yvon Renaud ordered a ban on publication of any evidence that could lead to the identity of the young girl. Northern Life is not publishing the name of the accused since it could identify the young girl.
Besides the long jail sentence, Renaud sentenced him to three years of probation after he?s released from prison. During that time, he is prohibited from communicating in any way with the young girl and not be in the company of any female under the age of 18 unless accompanied by an adult aware of the probation order. He?s also to accept any counselling for sexual issues as recommended by his probation officer.
The judge said, ?This can only be described as a tragedy? as a victim impact statement clearly indicates the teenager has suffered serious emotional damage as a result of this assault.
