(Photo: Quinte News)
A 29-year-old Deseronto man convicted of exposing himself to women in two separate incidents has been given a suspended sentence of 18 months probation.
At the Quinte Consolidated Courthouse on Friday, Gerald Lewis was sentenced by Justice Stephen Hunter.
In August 2016, Lewis was found guilty of exposing himself to female co-workers at the Belleville Canadian Tire Store. In March, he pleaded guilty to one count of exposing himself to an ex-partner in Bancroft the previous July.
On Friday, court heard how 21 letters were submitted from family, friends, co-workers and a supervisor supporting Lewis. The letters described Lewis as a dependable, capable, hardworking man who exhibited exemplary behaviour.
A psychiatric report by Dr. Eccles showed Lewis posed a low to moderate risk of re-offending and no danger to women.
Requesting a conditional discharge, Lewis’ lawyer Catherine Purvis called Lewis overworked at the time of the incident at Canadian Tire. She said he came in early on his day off to work for a fellow co-worker needing time off for a family matter.
“His letters of support found him respectable around women,” Purvis said. She referred to one letter that stated how he will learn from this lesson and not repeat it.
Justice Hunter said he didn’t believe Lewis should be placed in custody however he felt a conditional discharge wasn’t appropriate in this situation as there were two events similar in nature adding he pleaded guilty to one of them.
Lewis must attend counselling, remain free of drugs and alcohol and not associate with the victims in this case.
