75-year-old man handed prison time for sexual abuse dating back 5 decades

A 75-year-old man was taken into custody outside a Kentville, N.S., courtroom on Thursday after being sentenced to 3½ years in prison for sexually abusing his younger brother over five decades ago. The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his brother, was found guilty of repeatedly assaulting his sibling for his own sexual gratification during the 1970s.

Provincial court Judge Angela Caseley delivered the sentence, highlighting the violation of trust that occurred within the victim’s own bedroom, a place that should have been safe and secure. The victim, who was a young adolescent at the time of the abuse, bravely came forward in 2022 to report the crimes that took place between 1971 and 1976.

Last fall, the man was also convicted of sexually abusing his sister in 1967 but received a lesser sentence of two years probation due to being a minor at the time of the offenses. Despite his remorse and history of being a victim of sexual abuse himself, Caseley emphasized that the man’s actions were inexcusable as he prioritized his own pleasure over the well-being of a vulnerable child.

The impact of the abuse on the victim was profound, as detailed in a victim impact statement read by Judge Caseley. The victim struggled with shame, fear, and difficulty forming close relationships for many years before finally disclosing the abuse to his wife at the age of 37. The lifelong trauma caused by the abuse was described as unimaginable, with the victim expressing a sense of betrayal, loss of innocence, and ongoing suffering.

While the man’s guilty plea and expressions of remorse were considered mitigating factors, Judge Caseley ultimately decided that a period of incarceration was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed. The sentence aligns with the prosecution’s recommendation and serves as a reminder of the importance of holding perpetrators of sexual abuse accountable for their actions.

The courtroom scene where the man was handcuffed and led away by deputy sheriffs serves as a somber reminder of the lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse. As the man begins his prison term, the hope is that justice has been served, and that the victim can continue on a path towards healing and recovery.