A Prince George man was sentenced Thursday to an 18-month conditional sentence and three years probation after pleading guilty earlier this year to common assault against six of his eight children.
Crown prosecution had been seeking a four-year jail term, arguing the punishments he had given were part of "a systemic, long-term plan to force complete submission of the children."
But in reaching his decision, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Ron Tindale found the man's actions were due to a "complete lack of understanding on how to raise and discipline children," combined with his physical problems - he is on a permanent disability - and general frustration.
"This is evidenced by his own reaction to trivial infractions by the children," Tindale said.
The man pleaded guilty to the charges after hearing testimony from the children during 10 days of trial in January. Several more serious charges - six counts each of unlawful confinement or imprisonment and assault with a weapon - were stayed as were all 18 identical charges against his wife.
During the trial, the children testified about being "clacked" or hit repeatedly with a long stick or shoehorn, for some on a near-daily basis and for as many 20 blows at a time. They suffered bruises on their arms, legs and faces and, for some, swollen and bloody lips and were told to cover up their wounds. A tooth was knocked loose in one case.
They were also forced to remain in a kneeling position for up to two-and-a-half hours at a time.
The charges related to incidents between September 2006 and October 2011.
Authorities became aware of the trouble after the parents called police to the home because of difficulty they were having controlling their oldest son. All the children were removed following a subsequent investigation and the man has not seen them since.
The children ranged between nine and 17 years old at the time of the trial. All were home schooled, and according to the evidence, the parents "isolated themselves and their children from the outside world as much as they could," Tindale said.
Tindale also noted a troubled past for the man, whose now-deceased parents were alcoholics and physically and verbally abusive to him. He left home at age 17, has a Grade 8 education and has not worked since 1983 because of spine and lower back problems.
A conditional sentence means he will serve the term at home rather than in jail and must remain in the house for the first year except for medical emergencies or when he has written permission from his supervisor.
Further conditions include no contact with the children during both the conditional sentence and the probation, except under court order and with the children's permission. The punishments have had a significant effect on their self-worth and development, Tindale said.
"It is clear to me that the incidents of 'clacking' and being put on their knees were painful and upsetting to them and it is also clear and sad that there is no strong desire by any of the children to see their father," Tindale said.
