On Aug. 28, at the Westlock Court of Justice, a 23-year-old man was sentenced to four years in federal prison for charges of sexual assault and voyeurism.
“This is the most difficult part of my job,” said Justice Gordon Putnam, as his usual measured voice faltered. “It’s very difficult to sentence a young person to a significant period of incarceration but you have to be held accountable for your actions.”
Court heard that in October 2021, the accused, who was 21 at the time, had taken seven photos and eight videos of himself sexually assaulting his female roommate in Westlock while she was asleep or unconscious. The total time of the videos was seven minutes and 13 seconds. The accused turns the camera to show his face in two of the videos.
There is a publication ban on any details that may identify the victim. Court heard the two were roommates and possibly involved at some time, and often slept in the same bed.
“The offender engaged in predatory behaviour, and it was planned and deliberate,” said Putnam, adding that the gravity of the offence and the accused’s moral culpability are high.
Putnam said sexual violence disproportionately affects women and caused the victim physical, emotional and psychological harm. The fact that he didn’t wear a condom is an aggravating factor.
The voyeurism was an invasion of her personal privacy, sexual integrity and dignity and caused her psychological and emotional harm, he said.
Mitigating factors include the offender’s youthfulness, no prior criminal record, and no evidence that he distributed the videos, court heard.
A forensic psychological assessment was done but the accused didn’t fully cooperate. He was determined to be a medium risk of re-offending. The report revealed he lacks maturity, is impulsive and lacks awareness regarding the impact of his actions on the victim.
“I do believe you need help, and I encourage you to do that,” said Justice Putnam. “Only you can choose to move forward in the future. You have a chance to turn your life around.”
The man was ordered to provide his DNA to the National DNA Data Bank. Additionally, he will be placed on the sex offender registry for a period of 20 years. The court also imposed a 10-year ban on the possession of firearms and other weapons.
