A former Drumheller businessman has been sentenced to 42 months behind bars after pleading guilty to sexual exploitation and sexual assault.
The sexual exploitation charge goes back to the summer of 2009. The victim was a 13-year-old girl who was an employee of Long’s at a local restaurant. Contact was initiated at the restaurant and escalated during her employment. the contact culminated in intercourse in Long’s vehicle. Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Sanderman described the actions as predatory and involving grooming over time.
Long also pleaded guilty to sexual assault, stemming from a separate incident. This assault happened in September of 2010, while Long was on release while the previous case was before court. It involved the 16-year-old daughter of family friends. This occurance was during a social occasion and involved touching on top of clothing.
Crown Prosecutor Tom Buglas sought a sentence in the range of 4-6 years for the sexual exploitation charge and six months for the sexual assault.
Defense for Long, Calgary lawyer Willie de Wit, argued a sentence in the range of 3-3.5 years was suitable.
Long has a criminal record that includes two previous convictions for sex-related offenses. He was sentenced to two years for a sexual assault in Edmonton in 2003, and in August 2005 he was given a 90 day sentence for a second sexual assault that occurred in Drumheller.
de Witt said his client is very remorseful and realizes he must pay for his actions, and is willing to do so.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Sanderman said this type of conduct is morally reprehensible and has a profound affect on the victim, quoting a victim impact statement from the youngster involved, “I am no longer the person I was.”
Sanderman pointed out that while assessments indicated that Long has a moderate to high risk of reoffending, he is treatable.
Justice Sanderman sentenced Long to 40 months for the charge of sexual exploitation and two months for the sexual assault charge.
