Five years for raping teen?

A Kamloops man who plied a young girl with booze before raping her on a family camping trip could spend as long as five years in federal prison.

The 40-year-old man, who cannot be named under a court-order, was in Kamloops provincial court on Monday for sentencing.

He was previously convicted following a trial on charges of sexual interference of a person under 16 and sexual assault.

The man was on a camping trip in 2022 with a group, including his girlfriend and some of her family members.

On two occasions during the trip, the man sexually assaulted his girlfriend’s 14-year-old niece. At trial, the victim described sexual touching and intercourse.

'A sick monster'

Crown prosecutor Alex Wheele said the man took advantage of the victim's trusting relatives.

“Everybody felt themselves to be among family, so they were comfortable with things that they might not otherwise have been,” he said.

“I think that atmosphere of trust helped contribute to the situation of which [he] took advantage.”

At trial, court heard the man bought alcohol specifically for the victim and gave it directly to her.

The girl’s mother read an emotional victim-impact statement in court on Monday.

“He is a sick monster that deserves to suffer for the rest of his life,” she said. “He has left our family with a black blanket. This blanket covers our entire family — the blackness never leaves."

Wheele is seeking a five-year prison sentence, while defence lawyer John Gustafson suggested a sentence of three years.

Kamloops provincial court Judge Roy Dickey said he needs about two weeks to consider his decision.

The man remains free on bail.