Editor’s Note: This story contains details of a sexual assault and may not be suitable for all readers

Alex Kurial/Local Journalism Initiative

A Warwick man received three months jail for sexually assaulting his cousin’s young daughter.

The 39 year-old man, who can’t be named to protect the identity of the victim, committed the crime in Warwick Township last year.

He was in a home with the six year-old girl one evening when he began to touch and fondle her while she had clothing on and show her sexual acts in a pornographic magazine.

The girl’s mother walked in while it was taking place and began screaming at her cousin.
He fled the house and was found by police several days later under a bridge pleasuring himself to the magazine.

“He does not recall the specifics of that, but after hearing from the parties he instructed me that he was willing to enter a plea because he did not have a clear recollection of it,” says Defence Lawyer Don Henderson of the sexual interference charge.

Henderson says his client is addicted to alcohol and methamphetamines “to the point where he doesn’t realize where he is at times.”

Regarding another crime the man plead to, Henderson says “he was completely out of it” when he entered a Sarnia home and began eating the food inside.

The 90 day punishment on the most serious charge is covered by time served. “He has expressed remorse for this once he is in a sober condition and I’m sure that he’s embarrassed by it,” says Henderson.

Justice Anne McFadyen accepted the joint submission of time served but sided with Crown Attorney Ryan Iaquinta’s request for a two year probation term as opposed to Henderson’s suggestion of one.

“Not only is the focus in relation to (the man) attending counselling, there should be some protection for the victims in this matter,” says the justice.

For the next decade the man will be on the sex offender registry, can’t be around any child under 16 and is banned from having weapons.

He’s also barred from going near or contacting his cousin and her daughter, must take counselling for mental health, substance abuse and sexual offending and provide a DNA sample.

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can get help at the Child & Youth Crisis Line by calling 1-833-622-1320.