A 20-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting boys on a Manitoba Hutterite colony told a sentencing hearing Friday he must rebuild his life after family and community members abandoned him.
The man has pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual interference and one count of forcible confinement.
He was arrested last summer. Court documents alleged he abused 11 boys under the age of 14 during a seven-year span. Ultimately, he pleaded guilty to charges of abusing three boys between December 2006 and August 2009.
Provincial court Judge Robert Heinrichs reserved his sentencing decision until July 19.
Court heard Friday the Hutterite colony has told the man he's not welcome to return. Since the abuse came to light, his two brothers won't have anything to do with him.
"I've been kicked out of the colony," he said. "Right now, I'm stuck (on) where to go... I have to start on my own."
The man's name cannot be published to protect the identify the victims of the attacks. Also, one of the charges against him falls under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Crown prosecutor Jennifer Mann told the court she is seeking a five-year prison sentence.
The man used rubbing alcohol to ply victims after putting a mask on them, an idea he reportedly picked up from a comic strip. Mann said his actions showed the abuse wasn't a "spontaneous act."
However, defence lawyer Leonard Tailleur said he's contesting that because accusations the man performed and received oral sex during the abuse does not classify it as a major sexual assault.
He also said his client was not in a position of trust or authority regarding the boys he targeted.
He argued his client, who's spent almost 11 months in prison, should be released with no more prison time.
The lawyer said the strict religious setting of a Hutterite colony meant his client received corporal punishment and was put under house arrest when the abuse was discovered.
The man has participated in programming in prison and is not considered a high risk to reoffend.
This man should receive time served and be released with no more prison time. He has participated in programming and is not a high risk to re-offend. I do not believe he is dangerous or violent and is not a threat to the public. Most sex offenders have been abused themselves or have gone through some traumatic experience. I would be interested in knowing more about this man's background. I feel sorry for him that his colony and family have disowned him completely and he is now left to fend for himself. I think that is punishment enough for this man. I also believe he should attend counseling to uncover what has happened to him in his past.
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