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UPDATE: Charles sentenced to 8 years in kidnapping, sex assault case

Aug 15, 2018 | 2:51 PM

A young man from northern Saskatchewan has been sentenced to jail time in a federal penitentiary in a case that gripped the community of Prince Albert and changed the lives of a little girl and her family.

Jarrod John Charles was sentenced in court Wednesday to eight years and 90 days in jail in connection to the kidnapping and sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl last year. The 20-year-old man had previously pleaded guilty to several charges in connection with the July 4, 2017 incident in which he kidnapped the little girl from a Prince Albert playground and took to her to an abandoned house east of the city, leaving her later to walk some seven kilometres through the forest for help.

Charles was on probation at the time for a prior assault involving a minor.

During Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, Charles received 611 days of credit for time spent in custody while his case was before the courts, leaving him with six and half years left to serve in jail. Provincial Court Judge Hugh Harradence called the case horrific and “every parent’s worst nightmare,” but said he also has a responsibility to consider alternatives to jail that may be appropriate.

Harradence took into account Charles’ Indigenous background, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnosis and cognitive disabilities during sentencing, saying while the gravity of the offence is high, Charles’ “moral blameworthiness” must be considered in terms of his upbringing.

“He has been disadvantaged by his background,” Harradence said in giving his decision Wednesday.

Harradence called the case one of the more extreme he has seen, and said Charles is an offender who should be supervised for the rest of his life. Harradence made several recommendations for Charles’ incarceration Wednesday, including that he receive intensive treatment and be allowed to serve all or part of his sentence at either the Regional Psychiatric Centre (RPC) in Saskatoon or the Willow Cree Healing Lodge, that he be supervised for the rest of his life and that he receive treatment as a sexual offender. Harradence also included a recommendation that Charles be referred specifically to Dr. Mansfield Mela, a Saskatoon-based psychiatrist who has done extensive research into the effects of FASD.

While Charles has “limited insight” into his actions in the case, Harradence said he believed he was remorseful, noting his guilty pleas in the case saved the little girl and her family from the trauma of a lengthy court hearing. The young girl was with a family member at a local park at the time of the incident, but the relative had left for just minutes to get a bottle of water when the kidnapping happened.

Harradence the young victim in the case showed a “remarkable perseverance” and said it’s important to note the girl’s family did nothing wrong.

“Members of this community should be allowed to go a park and know that their kids are safe,” he added.

During sentencing arguments in the case last month, Charles’ defence lawyer, Greg Chovin, suggested that a term of five years would be appropriate in the case. Chovin said his client will hopefully be able to receive the treatment he needs while in jail.

“It’s not a usual case, there are a lot of things in Mr. Charles’ background that make it somewhat unusual,” Chovin said. “I believe that the rationale of the court is that the programming that he would be offered in places like RPC and Willow Cree would be more tailored towards his specific, individual needs as an individual, and therefore, hopefully CSC can accommodate that because I would agree with that.”

Charles was also ordered Wednesday to submit a DNA sample to the national registry and is banned from having firearms for 10 years after his release. Harradence also suggested that the Correctional Service of Canada connect with FASD supports and maintain contact with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in northern Saskatchewan to come up with a plan for long-term and culturally appropriate supports for Charles.

 

Editor’s Note: Charles’ first name is sometimes spelled “Jared.” Both spellings have appeared on official documentation.

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt