Crown seeks up to 10-year sentence for Wilbur Dedam on 6 sex charges
Former chief of Esgenoôpetitj First Nation was found guilty of sexually assaulting 3 girls between 1977-85
The Court of Queen's Bench in Miramichi heard emotional testimony from one of the victims of Wilbur Dedam at the former Esgenoôpetitj First Nation chief's sentencing hearing Monday on sex crimes.
Dedam, 64, was found guilty by a jury on Sept. 29 of sexually assaulting three girls in the community between 1977 and 1985. He has remained in custody since then.
The victim — who cannot be named because of a publication ban protecting the women's identities— read an impact statement in front of a crowded courtroom, as members of the community came to hear sentencing recommendations.
"Unfortunately, one of first things I think about when I wake up and before I go to sleep is Wilbur Dedam," she said. "He haunts my dreams."
The woman told court that for the past 40 years, she has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks to the point she has become completely dependent on her husband, who she said often had to come home from work to comfort.
"This man essentially ruined my life," the woman said of Dedam, adding the assaults started when she was 12 years old.
She said she still has difficulty going anywhere alone or feeling safe in her home.
"The fear and pain is still in me."
Crown Prosecutor Melanie MacAulay asked Justice Tracey DeWare to sentence Dedam to between eight and 10 years in prison for his crimes.
MacAulay argued there were several aggravating factors, including the young age of the victims, the fact Dedam was a family friend and chief of the community, that the victims were made to believe they'd be in trouble if they spoke out, the frequency and duration of the sexual assaults and the fact Dedam didn't use any protection, putting victims at risk of pregnancy or disease.
Defence asks for 3 to 4 years
Defence lawyer T.J. Burke asked the court for a sentence of three to four years in prison.
Given the emotional nature of the case, Burke urged the judge to consider only the "actual harm done to the victims" during the assaults, not any medical or psychiatric diagnosis that might have resulted as a consequence, saying those were "outside the realm of what's acceptable in a court of law."
Burke described Dedam as a "respectful humble man" who is "highly regarded in his community."
Other factors the judge should consider before imposing sentence, Burke argued, are that Dedam is an aboriginal person from a different generation, has limited education, and came from a household where alcoholism was a problem.
Dedam is expected to be sentenced on Dec. 5.
He was convicted on six charges, based on the Criminal Code at the time of the offences. They include:
- Sexual intercourse with a female under 14.
- Sexual intercourse with a female under 16.
- Sexual intercourse without consent.
- Illicit sexual intercourse.
- Two counts of sexual assault on a female person.
The jury reached its verdict after deliberating for about 10 hours over two days.
- On mobile? Follow live blog here