Oliver man convicted of sexual offences against young boy

PENTICTON – An emotionally-charged courtroom heard a Penticton Supreme Court judge today declare TJB guilty of three sex offences involving a child.

Justice Catherine Bruce gave a lengthy summary of numerous instances of sexual offences after TJB established a close relationship with the boy in Oliver in 2011 and 2012, before finding him guilty. 

She said defence counsel failed to raise a reasonable doubt, noting that inconsistencies in the boy’s testimony was not a reason to dismiss all the evidence.

“I don’t believe (TJB's) testimony,” she said. She said during the trial, TJB minimized the relationship between himself and the boy, denied being close yet showed a "pathological desire to be close."

“The number of weekend visits belies anything but a very close relationship,” she said. Bruce also noted the “great lengths” to which TJB went to secure time alone with the victim, adding he “inserted himself into the victim’s school and play time.”

TJB, a former candidate for Oliver councillor, bought the boy numerous gifts including a cell phone, which TJB repeatedly used to text the boy, often late at night. Bruce pointed to TJB’s desire to constantly spend time with the victim as evidence of a “highly suspicious relationship” and found it was "grooming by a sexual predator."

"The gifts, treats, hours spent together and significant age difference is overwhelming evidence," she said. 

TJB stayed ramrod straight throughout the session, never once looking behind him as many friends and supporters of the victim made up the gallery. Upon hearing the judge’s decision, many wept openly with relief.

Following the verdict, friends of the victim’s family expressed their relief at the decision.

“I’m still in shock,” said one friend from Penticton. “He’s getting what he deserves. It was a long battle. I’m speechless.”

He said he was proud of the victim, calling him "an inspiration to all kids out there.”

TJB was convicted of sexual assault, sexual touching of a person under age 16 and and invitation to sexual touching of a person under age 16.

Bruce ordered a pre-sentence report and psychiatric review. Crown prosecutor Catherine Crockett failed in her bid to get TJB’s bail revoked, but got several more conditions and restrictions added. TJB will have to regularly report to authorities, have no contact or communication with the victim, in addition to not being allowed to be within 50 metres of a school or residence where the victim is present. He is also forbidden to attend public facilities where minors under 16 may be present.

The case adjourned until Feb. 2, 2015, for sentencing. Crockett said she would recommend a federal sentence, meaning at least two years in prison.

— This story was edited Aug. 30 for compliance with court-ordered publication bans

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.