Kamloops man sexually assaulted disabled step daughter but his drinking did him in

CONTENT ADVISORY

A Kamloops man who raped his disabled step-daughter has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison but his drinking was his real undoing.

According to a May 11 BC Supreme Court decision, the man, referred to as FJJ in the document, was spending the weekend at the family’s trailer when his partner left to go back to Kamloops.

FJJ, 53, and his 15-year-old stepdaughter stayed behind for the night, and after drinking, he crawled into bed with her and violated her.

The next day, FJJ convinced her not to tell her mother but over the following months, the mother noticed a change in her behaviour — unusually quiet and bothered. Eventually, she confided in her mother.

“Very shortly after, both women confronted FJJ together. He acknowledged to them his sexual wrongdoing and apologized for his behaviour. He promised it would never occur again and further promised to abstain from hard alcohol,” the decision by Justice Lorianna Bennett reads.

Shortly afterwards, he started drinking again, and they went to the police.

If the Ministry of Children and Family Development became further involved, it wasn’t stated in the decision.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Bennett said the teen wasn’t an average 15-year-old and was particularly vulnerable. FJJ was her stepfather for more than a decade and was in a position of trust.

“He was well aware of (her) acute, intellectual and physical vulnerabilities, particularly because he had been in a stepfather role to her for years,” the Justice said.

Defence lawyers argued for two-and-a-half years in jail and submitted letters of support from his family and friends. They pointed to his consistent work history and difficult childhood.

“Despite that this is the first entry of a sexual offence, FJJ’s (criminal) record suggests a pattern of offending over a ten-year span that, at worst, involves violence towards females and, at best, suggests disrespect for the females involved in his life,” the Justice said.

Ultimately, the justice sentenced him to four-and-a-half years in custody.

NOTE TO READERS: If you find yourself or someone you know in need of support please contact 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.