(CMR) Errington Webster, 55, found guilty of indecency charges involving a 13-year-old, has been sentenced to 16 years but will serve less than 6 years.
He received 5 years for each indecent assault and 6 years for gross indecency; however, they will run concurrently, and he will receive time off for being on house arrest and time already served in prison in addition to the usual prison allowances.
Webster has been in custody since June 20, when a jury returned guilty verdicts on three counts of indecent assault on the girl and one country of gross indecency. The girl recorded the indecent act on her cellphone and the Crown presented that as part of their evidence.
Despite Webster's various excuses, which included blaming his wife for giving him a drink that supposedly interfered with his ability to function, they returned the unanimous verdict. He called in an expert witness who claimed he acted involuntarily because of an interaction between his blood pressure medication and grapefruit juice. He also claimed the girl had somehow put him under a spell or drugged him.
Originally set to be sentenced last September, there were numerous delays, and he was finally sentenced today.
Last week, I received the social inquiry report, which contained compelling information that Webster was not remorseful for his actions and continued to blame others for his predicament. Apparently, he blamed his lawyer, the courts and even the underage girl. Evidence was submitted that he began grooming her at the tender age of 11.
Represented by defense attorney Steve McField, Webster also claimed that the victim wanted money from him and was attempting to blackmail him. Since then McField has come off record and claims that Webster has not been paying his legal fees.
Webster is a retired fireman and unsuccessful political candidate for Bodden Town. Despite the allegations against Webster, his family has stood by him throughout the entire ordeal, also proclaiming his innocence.
The story will be updated with additional details later.
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