Former Canadian Air Force member found guilty of possessing 'horrific' child pornography
A former Canadian Air Force member from British Columbia has been convicted of possessing child pornography a judge described as "on the outer edge of depravity" and sentenced to 18 months in jail.
Judge Lisa Mrozinski handed down the sentence in a Vancouver Island courtroom in October following a conviction at trial. The decision was posted online last week.
While the documents posted online don't describe the investigation, arrest or trial at length, the judge does lay out the reasons for imposing the sentence she did, revealing details about the crime and the offender.
'EXTREME AND HORRIFIC IMAGERY'
Andrew John Earl Parry was found in possession of 1,507 images and videos after a forensic search of his iPhone and computer, Mrozinski told the court.
"The content of these materials ranged from the odd shot of a covered breast, for example, through to the extreme and horrific imagery of young and some very young children, including at least in one instance a baby," the decision reads.
MILITARY SERVICE
According to online court records, the charge was laid in 2019. The judge's decision says Perry served 20 years in the Air Force branch of the Canadian Armed Forces. A spokesperson for the Department of National Defence said that someone with the same name began serving in 2001 and was "released" in 2021.
"He was a Master Corporal with the Air Force, who served as a cook," an emailed statement to CTV News said.
"Any further information about the former member, including the reason for his release, is protected under the Privacy Act."
Generally speaking, the statement continued, the Canadian Air Force "has made it clear that it will issue a notice of intent to release from the forces to anyone charged with, and ultimately found guilty in either jurisdiction (military or civilian) of criminal charges related to sexual misconduct."
The court decision says that at the time of his sentencing, Perry was no longer with the military but that it was not clear if he had retired or been dismissed.
A 'NOT INSUBSTANTIAL' COLLECTION
Crown counsel was asking for a sentence of 30 months in prison while defence was asking for 12 months. In child pornography cases, Mrozinski noted, a custodial sentence is the norm, "except in the most extraordinary of cases."
Perry was a first-time offender who the judge found had led what she described as a "pro-social" life.
"Mr. Perry, you have been employed, you are in a relationship, you have friends and family and no other interactions with the criminal justice system. I am unaware of any drug or alcohol abuse disorders or anything of the sort," she said, adding his military service involved "not insignificant sacrifices in service to this country."
Still, the judge found there were no substantial mitigating factors. Instead, she focused on the aggravating factors in the case, including but not limited to the content of the pornography he possessed.
"The size of your collection, Mr. Perry, is not insubstantial, its content as I have described includes images that are at the outer edge of depravity and violence upon children," Mrozinski wrote.
A DANGER TO CHILDREN?
The judge also considered the question of whether Perry posed a danger to children.
She referred to evidence at trial that he had "pursued young girls on the internet" including a 14-year-old whose photo he kept on his phone and computer along with a separate video "showing various young girls ages 12 to possibly 16 years of age in a variety of sexual activities including oral sex."
On at least three occasions, Perry had been "successful" at contacting young girls on Facebook and Instagram, the judge said.
"You are clever, Mr. Perry, of that there is no doubt, and resourceful. These facts suggest to me that you likely do pose a risk to children. That has implications."
In addition to the jail term, Perry has been ordered to serve two years of probation, to register as a sex offender, and to provide a DNA sample. He was also ordered not to attend public parks, daycares, swimming pools or community centres where minors could be expected to be present for 10 years after his release from custody. A similar 10-year ban was imposed on volunteering or working in any position that brings him into contact with children or youth under 16.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.