A woman poignantly detailed in court the trauma she has endured since a trusted uncle sexually abused her decades ago when she was a "voiceless" young child.
She talked on Tuesday about "monstrous memories" that she had buried over 40 years, the night terrors and flashbacks that triggered seizures.
"I was a young girl, molested on several occasions by an uncle I loved and trusted," she told Ontario Court Justice Heather Mendes.
"I was voiceless," and "unprotected from a monster," the woman said, when she read her victim impact statement to the court at the 67-year-old man's sentencing hearing.
"I tried to explain to adults," she said, adding "at times I was punished."
The Sault Ste. Marie man pleaded guilty on July 24 to gross indecency and sexual assault.
A publication ban prohibits reporting any information that identifies the victim, which is why the man's name cannot be printed.
The accused appeared in court by video.
His victim, supported by a number of people crowded into a small first-floor courtroom, outlined the emotional, physical and mental toll his actions have taken on her life.
"I accept he is a sick person and a pedophile," she said. "I have no blame."
She described how her life has changed since she came forward, vowing “I will
continue on this journey.”
The woman said she woke up in September of last year and her nightmares were clear.
It "was clear to me, my little self, the need to feel protected and loved," she told Mendes.
No punishment or consequences will ever equal the trauma my family went through, she said.
"He can't lie or manipulate anymore."
The Crown and defence lawyer Bruce Willson jointly called for two years house arrest followed by three years probation.
The length of time for this conditional sentence and probation order are the maximum permitted under the CriminalCode.
Prosecutor Blair Hagan said the accused's conduct involved sexual offences against a young child and calls for a significant sentence.
The effects on the victim were immense, she noted.
His guilty pleas show he is taking responsibility for his actions, the assistant Crown attorney said, describing this as a "great mitigating factor."
The joint sentencing submission takes into account the specific circumstances. It is a dated matter with triable issues affected by the passage of time.
Willson agreed with her submissions, indicating he had nothing to add.
When she imposed sentence, Mendes said the accused's actions "had profound impacts" on the victim.
"She experienced something no child should," the judge said. "Her innocence and youth were stripped away from her."
While the early guilty pleas and triable issues are mitigating factors, it is aggravating
that "a vulnerable child suffered" and "continues to deal with her trauma."
During his conditional sentence, the offender must remain in his residence or on his property at all times.
He can only leave for medical emergencies, counselling and treatment, and must present himself at the door to his sentence supervisor or a police officer to verify he is conforming with his confinement conditions.
During both his sentence and probation, he can have no contact with the victim or her family and must not be within 100 metres of them.
He must take any recommended assessment, counselling and rehabilitative programs.
As well, he can't possess or consume alcohol or intoxicating substances.
He can leave home between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursdays to obtain the necessities of life.
Mendes prohibited him from possessing weapons for 10 years and ordered him to provide a DNA sample for the national registry.
He also is required to register as a sex offender for 20 years.
She also imposed a 10-year order prohibiting him from certain activities that may involve contact with young people under the age of 16.