CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A Barrie, Ont. man who says he has little memory of an incident in which he sexually abused an underage girl during a visit to P.E.I. was sentenced recently to nine months in jail.
Richard Ronald Steele, 67, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown where he was sentenced after entering a guilty plea to sexual interference, which carries a potential maximum penalty of two years less a day.
With the plea, the Crown stayed a charge of sexual assault.
Reading from an agreed statement of facts, Crown attorney Lisa Goulden told the court Steele owns a cottage in P.E.I. and was in the province when he committed the offence.
The court heard the victim described Steele, who had been drinking and smoking marijuana, as “quite sloshed” when he started making comments before grabbing parts of her body, including her breast.
Goulden said Steele later pulled the victim’s pants down and, at one point, started to undo his pants before the girl forced him away.
She reported the incident to police two days later.
The court heard Steele accepts the victim’s version of events but says he has little memory of what happened.
Defence lawyer Jared Kelly told the court Steele says he abused alcohol for much of his life and has taken steps to address it since the offence.
Kelly said Steele hasn’t sought formal treatment, and his main support system is his family.
Before sentencing Steele, Orr said it was clear from his behaviour that his actions were criminal and there was no fault to be laid on the victim.
Steele is the adult and the person responsible for what happened, Orr said.
“He is the person who is going to jail, which is where he should be going for his actions.”
She also said it was a matter of great concern that Steele was so under the influence of drugs and alcohol that he had little memory of what he did.
Addressing the facts, Orr said it was fortunate the victim was able to stop Steele.
“She shouldn’t have had to,” Orr said.
As she continued, Orr called it a “significant violation of her personal integrity.”
After finishing her remarks, Orr asked Steele if there was anything he wanted to say.
“No ma’am,” was his response.
Along with the jail time, which was a joint recommendation from the Crown and defence, Steele will be on probation for 18 months after his release.
Steele must provide a DNA sample for the national databank, his name will be added to the national sex offender registry and he will be subject to a weapons prohibition.
For 10 years, Steele will also be subject to restrictions on his ability to be around children younger than 16 or go places where they could be expected to be present.
A publication ban prevents the release of any details that could identify the victim.
