Article content“In some ways, it’s reflective of the direction from the Supreme Court of Canada’s Queen versus Friesen, and other precedents,” Gorman said. “You may be old, but you’re still subject to a serious and significant sentence in the event you’re convicted or plead guilty.” Article contentAsked if he felt a message was delivered with the sentence, Gorman said he did in the case of historical sexual based offences. Article content“You still can expect, as the Supreme Court said in Friesen, and Justice Hoskins repeated in his decision, that children are our future and they’re entitled to protection, protection of the law. The fact that it happened years ago and now (the offender) happens to be old doesn’t affect that. There shouldn’t be ‘A’ – a discount, or ‘B’ – a get out of jail free card.” Article content Surrounded by his family, Doug Robertson talks to reporters after the sentencing of his father, Douglas Guthro Sr., on charges of sexual abusing Robertson as well as his two sisters. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /The NewsArticle contentGorman also echoed Hoskins’ thought on a “horrific” breach of trust. Article content“To go from one child to another and, what was in the agreed statement of facts, the manipulation of each child in terms of psychologically intimidating them to a point of keeping it a secret until it couldn’t be kept secret any longer.” Article contentArticle contentHe talked about the victims showing tremendous courage. Article content“Even the way it worked with them, having removed the publication ban, that is offering themselves and their experience to other survivors,” Gorman said. “It could encourage others to deal with their situation, and (helps them to know) that there is assistance out there to report things, even if it did happen 50 years ago. Article content“They’re pretty strong people. The intestinal fortitude they showed to publicly display what they grew up with, that takes remarkable courage in my mind.” Article contentGorman expressed feeling relieved through sensing the relief being felt by others in the courthouse. Article content“Even just the sounds I hear from down the atrium, the sounds of relief,” Gorman said while in the courthouse lobby. “It (the case) just inched forward. There was a period of time where the accused was unrepresented, and I had to force the issue by having it deemed a judge and jury election to force the thing along; all to try and get it across the finish line, and we were successful in doing that today.” Article contentArticle contentSAD VICTORY Article contentWith relief, there was sadness and other emotions for Robertson as he and his family came out of the courtroom. He described it as a “sad victory.” Article content“It was a lot to sit through and be here every court day, but I had to see this. I had to see it right to the end, and I did,” he said. “There is probably never going to be justice, so, as I said, this is a sad victory because we will never get back what we lost.” Article contentRobertson lives in Pictou County, while Farrell and Colbert live in Ontario. They joined the proceeding via a phone conference line as they had for other sessions. During the victim impact statement session, both sisters traveled to Pictou and made powerful speeches about what they endured and the lasting impacts they, as well as the families they have grown, continue to deal with. Article contentRobertson was asked if he felt the sentence offered some closure for him.
Guthro Sr. sentenced to 10 years for sexually abusing his children
