Warning: This article contains details some may find upsetting and/or triggering.
Editor's note: A publication ban prevents the publication of any information that could potentially identify the victim in this case.
Ronald Chesney will spend the next four months behind bars after admitting to touching a 13-year-old girl at a New Year’s Eve gathering at a home in Wellington North over two years ago.
The 50-year-old Tavistock man was given his sentence Monday morning in Guelph’s Ontario Court of Justice. He pleaded guilty to sexual interference last July.
“Clearly, it’s a youth vulnerable individual, there’s a breach of trust in this situation,” said Justice Matthew Stanley said in discussing the aggravating factors.
“There is a record, but I accept it’s somewhat unrelated.”
The incident itself was captured on video, where Chesney appears to touch the victim’s breast and crotch area above the clothing.
“He’s acknowledged that he dug his fingers into her crotch area,” Stanley said.
The victim, who cannot be named under a publication ban, noted in her victim impact statement Chesney grabbed her arms so hard, it left “red marks.”
“(The incident) was momentary, it appears to be out of character, alcohol may have played a role,” Stanley said.
Mitigating factors include the guilty plea, and there is “significant” strong support for him in the community.
“I also accept that his remorse was genuine and was expressed through the reports that were filed,” he said.
Chesney attends counselling, has steady employment and reports indicate he is considered a “strong candidate for rehabilitation” and is “not likely to re-offend.”
The sentence was a joint recommendation. Defence attorney Ken Byers withdrew his recommendation for a three-month sentence to be served on weekends, and agreed with the Crown’s stance on the matter.
Chesney will also be under probation for two years, submit a sample of his DNA and will be on the national sex offender registry for 10 years.
He is not allowed to be within a kilometre of where the victim is, or known to be. There is also an order restricting him from going anywhere someone under 16 may be – including schools, public parks and swimming pools – unless supervised by an adult at least 21 years of age. That order is in effect for seven years.
Other charges have been withdrawn.
Chesney was once again given a chance to address the court, which he declined.
After the hearing, Chesney grabbed his coat, hugged and kissed his partner and was escorted into custody by police.
