Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Dad admits sexually abusing daughter over five years (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

Another UNNAMED DAD....

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Daughter+hurt+much+father+sexual+abuse/5049213/story.html

Daughter 'hurt so much' by father's sexual abuse
By Daryl Slade, Calgary Herald July 5, 2011

A 38-year-old father who admitted sexually abusing his daughter over a five-year period, starting when she was eight years old, cried in the prisoner's box on Monday as his estranged daughter read a scathing victim impact statement.

"What he did to me, how he used me, I'll never forget," said the now 14-year-old.

"I hurt so much and I'm so damaged that I can't mention his name again. But you know what, you'll never rent space in my head ever again. I'll try to forgive you, but I'll never forget."

Provincial court Judge Harry Van Harten will give the sentence today.

According to an admitted statement of facts entered as an exhibit on Monday, the man began sexually assaulting the girl in April 2004. It started as touching and progressed until April 2009, when he stopped.

He would also take pictures of her naked and engaging in various sexual acts with him, but later deleted them, said the document.

In seeking an eight-year prison sentence, Crown prosecutor Nadine Nesbitt said it was especially aggravating that the offender was in position of trust, and that there were numerous assaults over a lengthy period.

"(The girl) told police that her father told she was beautiful and special and that her siblings would sometimes get jealous because she received more attention than they did from her father, and she received special perks like staying up late," said Nesbitt, reading from the admitted facts.

The facts state the girl said her father told her not to tell anyone about the sexual abuse and she did not because she did not want to "break his trust."

It wasn't until January 2010 that the girl told her mother about the sexual abuse and police were called.

The man cannot be named to protect the girl's identity.

Nesbitt also sought to have the father declared a sex offender and not attend, for life, any park, school, playground, swimming pool, etc., where children might be present.

Defence lawyer Tonii Roulston, who argued for a five-to six-year sentence, said her client has admitted he has a problem and needs sexual offender treatment. She said he should get a lesser sentence than suggested by the Crown.

The father pleaded guilty to one count each of sexual touching of a child under 14, and making, possessing and distributing child pornography.