A Smithers court has sentenced a Gitxsan man to 9 months behind bars after being convicted of sexual interference.
27 year-old Cameron Alfred was convicted last December of being sexually involved with a 13 year-old girl at least twice in 2017.
According to the Crown, the fact that their were separate criminal instances, and that Alfred showed little understanding of the negative impacts on the victim, were aggravating factors.
They also stated that the fact that Alfred has been gainfully employed, is seeking counselling, and is an Indigenous man who was also an abuse victim, mitigated a larger sentence.
During the proceedings, Alfred argued that the victim had been the one to start their relationship, and that she had given de facto consent.
But the court ruled that due to her age, she was incapable of giving true consent.
In addition to jail time, the BC Supreme Court sentenced Alfred to 2 years probation, must have no contact with anyone under 16, and is subject to inclusion on the National sex offender registry.
