Navy officer guilty of desertion shouldn’t be jailed: defence and prosecution

HALIFAX – The defence and prosecution say a navy officer who pleaded guilty to desertion for leaving his post aboard a supply ship doesn’t deserve imprisonment.

Defence lawyer Maj. Sara Collins says a mitigating factor in sentencing should be Lt. Derek de Jong’s testimony that he was subjected to harassment that included a colleague urinating on his cabin floor before he deserted.

Collins says de Jong should be reprimanded and face a fine of between $1,000 and $3,000 for leaving his post aboard HMCS Preserver on Sept. 17, 2012, while it was docked in Key West, Fla.

She says de Jong’s court martial should consider his impeccable service record, that he reported immediately to military police upon returning to Halifax, had no other offences and has received glowing reviews from his commanding officers since the desertion.

Military prosecutor Lt.-Cmdr. Darin Reeves agreed that imprisonment wouldn’t be appropriate in this case and is seeking a reprimand and demotion from lieutenant to sub-lieutenant.

The case has been adjourned until Wednesday for a sentencing decision.