Russ Jones will serve three years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material, Justice Shannon Smallwood ruled on Friday morning in NWT Supreme Court.
Jones, a Yellowknife resident, had been convicted in December 2023 of one count of possessing child pornography related to more than 1,000 images found on his devices.
(While the criminal code uses the term child pornography, many organizations and advocates say the term child sexual abuse material better reflects the abuse and exploitation of children.)
During Jones’ sentencing hearing in May, Crown prosecutor Morgan Fane had argued he should serve three years for the crime.
Defence lawyer Jay Bran argued Jones should receive the mandatory minimum sentence of one year, followed by two years’ probation with conditions including community service.
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Delivering Jones’ sentence on Friday, Justice Smallwood said she was satisfied that an appropriate sentence was closer to the one proposed by the Crown.
“These are real children who are victims to serious sexual abuse … and who live their lives with the long-term consequences of what has been done to them,” Smallwood said.
“Without a demand for this type of material, there would be no corresponding need to produce and distribute it.”
Reviewing a pre-sentencing report, Justice Smallwood noted that Jones “does not acknowledge the part he played in this offence.”
“He lacks remorse and insight into this offence or his actions,” she said.
In addition to the three-year sentence, Smallwood also imposed several ancillary orders, including an order that he comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act for 20 years.
