BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – A 48-year-old man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping, confining and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy at a cabin in rural Nova Scotia last fall.
David James LeBlanc appeared in Nova Scotia Supreme Court today in Bridgewater, where he entered guilty pleas to kidnapping, forcible confinement, sexual assault, uttering threats and breach of conditions.
Two other charges – sexual assault causing bodily harm and administering a noxious substance with intent to cause bodily harm – were withdrawn.
The victim’s mother said seeing LeBlanc in court for the first time was difficult and she wanted him to suffer.
She said her son, who cannot be identified, is trying to put the incident behind him and she’s glad he doesn’t have to relive the abuse through a trial.
LeBlanc also pleaded guilty today to making and distributing child pornography as well as sexual interference in a separate case involving two boys, aged five and two.
The Crown says it will seek between eight to 12 years in prison and will likely craft a joint sentencing recommendation with the defence.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 14.
Police began investigating the alleged confinement of the teen last September after a woman reported that a barefoot boy arrived at her home chained at his wrists and ankles.
The RCMP have said they believe the 16-year-old was held captive for 10 to 14 days before he was able to escape.
Leblanc was arrested Sept. 30 in northern Ontario after a Canada-wide manhunt. At the time, police were also searching for 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham, whose body was later found near the area where Leblanc was arrested.
Foul play was not suspected in his death.
A third man, John Leonard MacKean, was charged in November with sexual assault and communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services from a person under 18 in relation to the alleged confinement.
He has elected trial by judge and jury in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 25 in Bridgewater.
-with files from Global News
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