A former education assistant in Nanaimo has been sentenced for sex offences against two children in his care and another teenager.
Glen Massick, 46, lost his job after he was charged with the offences last year.
All three victims have developmental disabilities.
The former education assistant with the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District said he’s remorseful for his actions.
“I’m sorry that’s for sure,” Massick said while arriving at the courthouse.
In an agreed statement of facts, the court heard that Massick took two of the victims to a park to go fishing numerous times in May and June of 2021. But instead of fishing he showed them pornography, pulled down their pants and sexually touched them and himself.
The other sex offence involved an adult teen whom Massick also sexually touched, though he didn’t meet that victim through his job as an education assistant.
The parents of one of the victims, whose identity we’re protecting, previously said Massick gained their trust through his job.
“I hope he knows how much damage he’s caused these kids. How much trust he’s broken.”
One of Massick’s victims in a statement to the court said he’s had anxiety and depression since and even contemplated suicide and he’s had difficulty focusing on work and school.
According to a presentence report, Massick was sexually assaulted by his peers in his early teen years though he never got any counselling to deal with it.
The report said Massick is at a high risk of reoffending.
When the judge gave him a chance to address the court he said “I’m sorry. I’m looking forward to getting help.’
Noting his guilty plea in his favour and his position of trust as an aggravating factor the judge sentenced Massick to six years in federal prison, two years for what happened to each victim.
He will also have to submit his DNA to the national sex offender database and for 10 years he won’t be able to be in a public space or work or volunteer where there are children under the age of 16.
He will also have a lifetime prohibition from possessing weapons.
One of the victim’s parents said the sentence will never be enough for taking the innocence of the victims but they are happy that the sentencing is over.
Kendall Hanson
