Crown and defence counsels largely agreed on how much jail time a Prince George man found guilty of sexually interfering with a minor should serve but what to do with him afterwards was a point of contention during a sentencing hearing Monday.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elliott Myers was presented the options of sentencing Paul Veeken to two years in provincial jail followed by three years probation or two years plus a day in federal prison.
In arguing for provincial time, Crown prosecutor Cassandra Malfair noted federal time is not followed by probation and Veeken has not accepted responsibility for his actions and expressed no willingness to participate in a treatment program for sexual offenders.
A forensic psychiatrist rated Veeken's risk to reoffend at moderate, it was also noted.
But defence counsel John Duncan argued Veeken would have a strong incentive to complete the program if he was sentenced to federal time - namely, that he could gain early release and serve out the rest of his sentence on day parole.
By then, Veeken's risk to reoffend should drop to low, he contended and, if not, Duncan said there are other ways available to put conditions on Veeken if necessary, notably an order of prohibition with conditions that could last as long as three years.
"In federal corrections, they're very good at providing risk assessments and psychological evaluations," Duncan said.
Regardless of whether he gets probation or is issued an order of prohibition, it was argued that Veeken should be prohibited from being alone with anyone under 16 years old.
Veeken's offence was described as a "grooming type of conduct in a position of trust."
In February, a jury found Veeken guilty of the offence following a trial.
Myers will issue a decision on Wednesday morning at the Prince George courthouse.
