Mar 18, 2011 |

Cadet leader guilty of sexual exploitation

John Howe pleads guilty after sending dozens of graphic text messages to

teenager

Peterborough This Week

(LINDSAY) A former commanding officer of the Lindsay Cadet Corps pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation in court today (March 18).

John Howe, 36, of Cameron, was scheduled for trial but instead decided to enter a plea before Justice Lorne Chester.

Crown prosecutor Felicity Hawthorne withdrew a second charge of child luring.

Court heard that in 2009, Mr. Howe had sent dozens of sexually explicit text messages to one of the female cadets, trying to lure her into "showing him her breasts."

Ms Hawthorne said the victim, a girl in her late teens was going through a difficult time with personal problems and was very "vulnerable" at the time. Mr. Howe's behaviour took advantage of the teenager and was a breach of a position of trust, she added.

Court heard the victim's mother was suspicious and took her daughter's cell phone, where she discovered the text messages. She contacted Mr. Howe and arranged a meeting with him, at which time he admitted his behaviour was "inappropriate" and apologized. Mr. Howe told the woman he "knew he could go to jail" for what he had done.

He then turned himself into police, also surrendering his cell phone.

The Crown asked for the minimum sentence of 14 days.

Mr. Howe's lawyer said his client had agreed to the Crown's request, but submitted that "prior to this one-day event, [Mr. Howe's] character was exemplary."

He noted Mr. Howe was no longer in the military and had been "punished" by losing his position with the Corps, and the behaviour was "so out of character." He maintained Mr. Howe was "joking" when he sent the text messages, although he called the behaviour "a misguided way of making the [victim] feel good about herself."

Referring to the graphic content of the messages, the lawyer said, "Mr. Howe, his wife and I all agree his mouth should be washed out with soap."

But, in asking the Court to resolve the matter with only a jail sentence, he pointed out that Mr. Howe had immediately turned himself in to police, admitting what he had done was wrong and "wanted absolutely no blame attached to the victim."

Justice Chester sentenced Mr. Howe to 14 days is jail to be served on weekends, that Mr. Howe's name be added to the sex offender registry and that he submit a DNA sample.

The judge said that while this was a first offence for Mr. Howe, and there were mitigating factors, the breach of trust in the case was "serious" and couldn't be ignored.

"We need to send the message to the community that this kind of behaviour won't be tolerated," he said. "Hopefully, this is a sign...that we won't see you again."

"No, you will not, Your Honour," Mr. Howe said.