An 87-year-old Amherstburg man has been sentenced to house arrest after pleading guilty to historic sex crimes.
Richard Massen was charged with gross indecency and indecent assault for incidents that happened with underage boys between 1969 and 1981.
Justice Campbell agreed with the joint submission and sentenced Massen to 2-years less a day of remaining in his house and 3 more years probation.
Massen's lawyer, Andrew Bradie believes this is the proper outcome.
Richard Massen's defence lawyer Andrew Bradie, Windsor Superior Court, Friday, February 2, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
"Relieved that this entire process is over." Bradie says of his client's reaction to the sentencing "It's been a long process we all know that. It's resolved itself in a way I think is fair and reasonable"
Bradie had applied for the charges to be dropped.
"It was a good likelihood if we had not resolved the matter" explains Bradie "That I would have had to wait until the conclusion of the trial proper to appeal the decision of the judge on the stay application so this matter could have been protracted for years and years"
He says these charges only came out after Massen's name was to be part of the town's recreation complex.
"I thought there was fundamental unfairness by reason of the way the entire thing started." says Bradie "You talk about no good deed goes unpunished this seemed to be a classic example of the sale of the property the donation and he found himself in all this trouble again"
Bradie explained that news Massen had donated money and was to have his name be part of the new recreation complex prompted the complainants to come forward.
His application for the stay of proceedings was based on Massen's 1990 conviction and sentence, then 2004 pardon on similar crimes.
Court heard an impact statement from one of the 3 victims that the abuse had led to substance abuse, prostitution and contracting HIV.
Massen has significant health issues but has been placed on the sex offender registry for the rest of his life.