SASKATOON – A suspended Saskatchewan RCMP officer will spend a year in prison, followed by three years of probation for possessing child pornography after being convicted of the offence in late February.
Constable Aiden Arthur Pratchett, 32, learned his fate in a Saskatoon courtroom Friday afternoon. The sentence stems from a 2014 investigation by the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit against Pratchett, who was serving in Fond-Du-Lac, Sask. at the time.
“It was the appropriate sentence in all the circumstances,” said Crown prosecutor Michael Segu to reporters after the sentence had been handed down.
“We put a lot of effort into researching an appropriate position to put before the court.”
The Crown had argued for a sentence in the range of nine to 15 months, while the defence had put forward a recommendation of nine months. The provincial court judge handing down the ruling said he took no “great pleasure in sentencing” Pratchett.
“In the circumstances I thought the sentence was right where it should be,” said Mark Brayford, a defence lawyer for Pratchett.
In October 2014, numerous computers were seized as part of the investigation. A total of 109 unique child porn files were found by authorities, according to Segu. He detailed that some of the images contained girls as young as 6-years-old.
“There are many Mr. Pratchett’s out there that, for whatever reason, take gratification in watching children be sexually assaulted,” said Segu.
“Without that demand, the need to victimize children and produce more would certainly be lessened.”
Segu argued that Pratchett’s fellow RCMP officers are a second set of victims in the case. During his sentencing submission, he read an impact statement from an RCMP official, who wrote that Pratchett’s actions impact the confidence of the citizens the force is supposed to serve.
“Quite frankly I would suspect that it would have a very demoralizing effect on those officers that are really trying to do the best job that they can do every day,” said Segu of the conviction.
Pratchett had been an RCMP officer since 2010. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and claimed a third-party was using his Wi-Fi, but was eventually found guilty. In court Friday, it was revealed that he will lose his employment and would have to change the course of his future.
“Part of the denunciation is public denunciation and the fall from grace from being an RCMP office to losing your career and lifetime aspirations,” said Brayford.
Pratchett’s case may not be over yet as a password protected computer that was seized still has to be cracked. In court Friday, the Crown indicated that Pratchett offered to help, after he was convicted.
“I would characterize Mr. Pratchett’s actions throughout the investigation, the trial and the sentencing as self serving,” said Segu.
During his probation term, Pratchett will not be allowed to use a computer, unless it’s at his place of employment, or for educational purposes.
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