A Prince George man previously found guilty of sexually interfering with a minor was sentenced Monday to 14 months in jail followed by 30 months probation for the offence.
In issuing his decision, Justice James Williams described Michael Scott Horswill, 47, as an otherwise "solid and upstanding member of the community" and while he found Horswill committed the offence, is at a loss to understand why he committed the act.
In January, following a five-day trial, Williams found Horswill had molested the four-year-old daughter of a family friend in July 2013 while staying overnight at a cabin near Prince George.
"This case is profoundly unfortunate," Williams said.
Crown had been seeking 18 to 24 months in jail while defence argued for a six months to one year conditional sentence, which would have been served at home.
The mandatory minimum for the crime is one year in jail, but defence counsel had argued it amounted to "cruel and unusual punishment." Williams responded by dismissing defence's application.
In an interview, the victim's father said he "would have been happy with more," in terms of the time in jail to which Horswill was sentenced, "but that was the judge's decision." He also expects Horswill, who continues to maintain his innocence, will appeal the guilty verdict.
"At this point, we're happy with the process," he said. "We might have to go back on trial again, or go back on the stand and do it all again, but we're prepared for that. If that's the case, then we'll do that."
Williams listed a handful of conditions Horswill will have to meet while out on probation. They include staying away from any parks, pools, playgrounds or anywhere where youth tend to congregate and taking any counseling as directed by his probation officer.
His name will also be on the national sex offender registry for 20 years.
