EDMONTON – An Alberta man who pleaded guilty to brutally sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl on the Paul First Nation has been sentenced to 10 years in jail.
James Clifford Paul’s sentence was handed down Monday afternoon after he pleaded guilty to sexual assault and aggravated assault in connection with the December 2014 incident.
Paul was given credit for the 21-and-a-half months he’s already served behind bars. Paul, who is in his early 20s, will have his name placed on the sex offender registry.
“The offences here are of unspeakable violence,” Judge Charles Gardner said from a Stony Plain courtroom.
Gardner told the court he struggled with his decision. On the one hand, the 22-year-old Paul was remorseful and suffered a violent upbringing with abuse and addiction, he said. He called James a “protector of his young siblings.” On the other hand, he called his crimes “horrendously vicious.”
Both the Crown and defence were seeking a 10-year sentence.
On Dec. 20, 2014, the little girl was airlifted to hospital in critical condition after being sexually assaulted and brutally beaten by Paul. Her family said she was found outside, naked and beaten so badly she was almost unrecognizable.
The young girl was taken to the Stollery Children’s Hospital with “traumatic injuries related to blunt trauma,” where she remained in a coma for several days before waking up.
READ MORE: Alberta man who beat and sexually assaulted girl to learn fate in April
The girl suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and now needs constant, around-the-clock care. Professionals said she also has probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“She’s in a specialized foster home receiving all kinds of therapy – physical therapy, psychological therapy. I’m told she’s in school but she needs assistance for that,” Jason Neustaeter, chief Crown prosecutor in the case, said in March.
Eight victim impact statements were filed in the case. The little girl’s grandmother read hers in court, saying she and her children are suffering and they feel guilt.
After the attack, Paul told police he was drunk and high on crystal meth at the time. In a written report, Paul said what he did that day shocks him and if he was in his right mind he never would have hurt the little girl.
He led police back to the scene and gave details about what happened. He said he was angry when the girl followed him after he sexually assaulted her. He punched her repeatedly, picked her up and threw her in the bushes.
“I pray for the victim, the little girl, and her family every day,” he wrote. “I take responsibility and do not think I can forgive myself for what I did to that little girl.”
READ MORE: Family of sexual assault suspect flees home following violent threats
Paul has been in custody since his arrest in 2014. He was given credit for time served. Seven years plus two-and-a-half months remain on his sentence.
He was originally scheduled to be sentenced following a hearing in March, but the judge’s decision was pushed back to April 18.
Paul First Nation is about 35 kilometres southwest of Stony Plain, near Wabamun Lake.
Comments