A man found guilty of confining and sexually interfering with a seven-year old-boy a decade ago was sentenced Friday to four years in prison.
His name cannot be published under a court-ordered publication ban against information that could identify the victim.
Crown prosecution had been seeking up to five years while defence counsel argued for three years in a federal prison or, alternately, two years less a day in a provincial jail followed by probation of up to three years, the maximum allowed for time served in a provincial institution.
According to a brief summary when submissions on sentencing were given earlier this month, the man was in an extended stay with the boy's mother and effectively acting as a stepfather.
In August 2011, the man had been supervising the boy and his younger sister while their mother was away at work. The court heard he had tied up both children and forced the boy to perform a sexual act on the him.
The man, who was found guilty following a trial in B.C. Supreme Court in Prince George, denies the acts and maintains his innocence.
In a statement to the court, the boy's father said his son continues to suffer nightmares and day terrors as a result. The allegations were first reported to police three years ago.
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