Bail changes for Vernon cop facing child porn charges

VERNON – A Vernon cop facing child pornography charges now has a tighter set of bail conditions, and a looming preliminary inquiry.

A judge fine-tuned the wording on Ryan Hampton’s bail conditions Wednesday. Number six of his seven conditions stated he ‘was permitted’ to be in the presence of children under 18 under the following circumstances: a) while visiting his brother in Alberta or while in residence at an alcohol treatment facility during family visitation. In both circumstances, an adult, parent or guardian with knowledge of his charges must be present.

Crown counsel Claire Ducluzeau asked that the wording be changed to say he is ‘not’ to be permitted in the presence of children under 18, with the exceptions of visiting his brother and seeing family while in residence at a treatment facility, to avoid any confusion.

Ducluzeau also asked that Hampton have no direct or indirect contact with his new baby daughter, born this past December. His bail conditions already ban him from contacting four individuals whose names are protected by court order.

Another of Hampton’s original bail conditions restricted him from using the Internet anywhere except while in the presence of an adult aware of his charges. He is “not to view any nude or partially nude images or videos of any person real or otherwise.”

Judge Ellen Burdett also confirmed a preliminary hearing, scheduled for March 4 through 6.

Hampton, who tuned in by phone from Port Coquitlam, is represented by defence lawyer Glenn Verdurmen.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call (250)309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.