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November 26, 2004
Molester a victim of sex abuse
HALIFAX -- A man who received compensation for sexual abuse he suffered at the former Shelburne School for Boys in Nova Scotia has been sentenced for molesting a girl under 16. Allan John Arsenault, 49, of Dartmouth, N.S., pleaded guilty Nov. 9 in Nova Scotia Supreme Court to one count of sexually touching the girl in 1998. The two instances of sexual intercourse resulted in the birth of a child.
The judge's written decision of the penalty was released yesterday. Justice Felix Cacchione handed Arsenault a 12-month conditional sentence to be served under house arrest, followed by three years' probation.
Sexual touching carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Court heard that Arsenault, who came before the judge with 30 prior convictions, had an exceptionally difficult upbringing. His father was a violent and abusive drunk who would assault the children's mother in their presence.
As a boy, Arsenault was sent to the Shelburne school where he was sexual abused by staff members over a prolonged period.
He was compensated for that abuse, but as a result of the experience he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Posted by Nealus at November 26, 2004 02:04 PM
