Okanagan hockey coach convicted for taking photo of wife in shower

CONTENT ADIVSORY

An Okanagan hockey coach who took a photo of his wife in the shower has been convicted of voyeurism.

On April 21 at the Kelowna courthouse, James Eccles pleaded guilty to voyeurism stemming from the incident that had happened when their relationship was breaking down.

The photo dates back to 2023, and the court heard that Eccles snapped it in the spur of the moment and was remorseful and quickly deleted it when his wife got out of the shower and confronted him.

Crown prosecutor Bridget Inocencio said he took the photo at a time when he was feeling sexually and emotionally rejected.

The couple went through a difficult divorce, and a month after it was finalized, his now ex-wife went to the police about the photo and allegations of domestic violence.

Along with the voyeurism, Eccles was charged with assault by choking and three other separate counts of assault.

However, in a plea deal, the 47-year-old pleaded guilty to one assault charge and to voyeurism.

The court heard how, in June 2024, the couple got into an argument after Eccles asked his wife for the keys to their Summerland home so he could give them to their realtor.

She refused, he became frustrated, and she began filming him.

The two began to wrestle for the phone and fell to the ground. He snatched the phone from her and left a mark on her arm.

There were no details given behind the circumstances of the other charges, which were all stayed. 

The court heard how Eccles’ ex-wife had suffered emotionally and psychologically.

“Just about every aspect of her life has been affected by your actions,” BC Provincial Court Judge Andrew Tam said.

After being charged, Eccles lost his job coaching hockey.

“He’s no longer able to work for BC Hockey in any program facilitated with BC Hockey,” the Crown said.

Prior to the charges, Eccles had had a lengthy and successful career in hockey.

After high school, he played NCAA hockey for Penn State University in Ohio on a scholarship and has a Kinesiology degree. He later completed a master’s degree.

He worked for various Canadian teams as a coach, and between 2013 and 2019, he worked as the director of hockey development for BC Hockey and Maple Ridge Minor Hockey Association.

“His career has been seriously damaged. BC Hockey has disqualified him from working with minor hockey on the basis of the pending charges alone,” defence lawyer West Pryde said.

He’s now doing some work for the Rigs Hockey Academy.

The lawyer said taking the photo was out of character and Eccles addressed it immediately by going to counselling.

In a joint submission to the court, lawyers put forward a conditional discharge, a sentence whereby he won’t get a criminal record, provided he doesn’t breach 18 months’ probation.

“A conviction for these offences would mean he would not be able to regain his career as a hockey coach, which he spent his life studying and working in,” the defence lawyer said.

His lawyer highlights his pro-social life and lack of previous criminal record.

“In the normal circumstances, this type of case results in a punishment that’s more severe or harsher than what’s being sought today,” Judge Tam said.

“The court must send a message to the community that this type of conduct is not tolerated, and I have to express the abhorrence with which the court and justice system holds in regard to this type of conduct. I also have to keep in mind deterrence… to deter other like-minded individuals and dissuade them from carrying out such actions.”

However, the Judge said Eccles had accepted responsibility and was otherwise a law-abiding citizen.

Ultimately, Eccles was granted a conditional discharge and put on probation for 18 months. Provided he doesn’t breach his probation, he won’t get a criminal record.

NOTE TO READERS: To connect with a victim service program or violence against women program call VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808. VictimLink BC provides information and referrals to all victims, as well as immediate crisis response to victims of sexual and family violence.