Former Summerland man pleads guilty to sexual assault on child – Penticton News

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Penticton courthouse in a file photo.

WARNING: This article contains information about sexual assault of minors. Reader discretion is advised.

A former Summerland man has admitted to sexually assaulting an underage girl who was his step-granddaughter at the time.

A 62-year-old man, whose name is protected by a publication ban to protect his victim, admitted in a Penticton court on Monday that he sexually touched a 10-year-old girl in July 2023.

The court heard the girl reported the disturbing incident to her mother, in which the man touched her private parts. His mother later contacted the police, leading to his arrest.

The man, who now lives and works in Kamloops, has no criminal record but has ongoing depression and an alcohol use disorder.

The doctor who submitted a report about the man said that the man was unlikely to commit a crime again.

The man said he was in a dark place when the incident occurred. He is currently being treated for depression and participating in group therapy.

The victim impact statement presented to the court by the child’s mother described the extreme emotional harm inflicted on both the child and the family and the ongoing negative effects of this.

She reported that her child is now afraid of men who resemble the man who abused him and is showing signs of anxiety.

The man will face sentencing at a later date.