The judge in the case of a former local YMCA worker and hockey coach, convicted on multiple child porn and sex-related offences, says he needs some time to make his decision on a sentence.
Justice Patrick Hurley heard submissions in the case of Tanner Neron via teleconference on Tuesday, with the defence suggesting a four year and three month prison sentence and the Crown requesting a six year prison term, along with a number of conditions including adding Neron to the sex offender registry for life, a fire arms ban and a DNA order.
Neron was found guilty on 11 of 14 charges in March 2020, in connection to incidents between August 2015 and September 2017 while he was working as a camp counsellor at the Belleville YMCA and as a minor hockey coach in Quinte West.
He was found to have sexually exploited five boys between the ages of 12 and 16, by sharing pornographic images and pictures of his genitals with them via Snapchat and inappropriately touching one of the boys on a bus trip.
Justice Hurley told court that he recognizes the seriousness of the offences and that he must impose jail time, but called it a “difficult sentencing” to hand down.
He noted the fact that Neron is a first time offender and wants to “give some thought into how long that sentence should be and what are the most important factors I should take into account”.
Among the items Justice Hurley has to consider in making his decision are the full written submissions from both lawyers, a sexual behaviour assessment, a psychological assessment and close to half a dozen victim impact statements, along with a number of character reference letters.
In his submissions, Crown Attorney John O’Halloran pointed to the significant breach of trust as an aggravating factor in the case, along with the spin off psychological impacts on the victims, their families and the greater community.
He also indicated that Neron had yet to show any remorse throughout the proceedings and that the character references from an adult peer group “are of little assistance” because they have no bearing on his interactions with the children, whose trust he breached in the circumstances of this case.
Among her submissions as mitigating factors, Defence Attorney Ruth Roberts cited the strict conditions Neron has been under in not being able to access the internet, hampering his efforts to look for employment, as well as the fact that he is still a young man and “won’t be the same person when he gets out of jail, as when he goes in”.
She also made court aware of some online comments about Neron and the potential for vigilantism against him, with Justice Hurley saying he didn’t think those social media posts could be factored into his decision.
Neron continues to be out of custody under strict conditions and will appear in court next on September 17.
