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NANAIMO — Gifts and employment were offered by the former Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre (NAC) executive director to a pair of boys in an effort to secure sexual encounters.
An explosive sentencing hearing for Christopher Robin Beaton, 56, in provincial court in Nanaimo on Monday, July 18 resulted in a suspended sentence, two years probation and numerous lengthy court orders applied to sex offenders.
A judge accepted a joint sentence recommendation for Beaton, who pleaded guilty earlier this year to two charges of telecommunicating to lure children under the age of 18.
The offences happened in Nanaimo in December 2018 and February 2020 while Beaton was head of the influential NAC.
The Crown’s Nick Barber said the victims were both boys, aged 16 and 17 at the time they were propositioned by Beaton.
During evening Facebook chats Beaton initiated sexualized conversations and proposed rewards to the boys if they engaged in sex acts with him.
“There’s no allegation in this file of hands-on offending, however these are vulnerable young people with all sorts of difficulties that make them more easily abused and Mr. Beaton was certainly aware of that at the time,” Barber said.
While the messages started off innocuously, the exchanges were viewed by Barber as attempts by Beaton to groom the victims.
“Interspersed with the sexualized conversations, offers of various things such as employment, or gifts all framed within the NAC…it’s a bit difficult I think to parse out which parts of those were legitimate offers.”
The messages shook the victim’s faith in Beaton, the NAC and also negatively impacted their schooling, Barber said.
He noted specific sexual requests from Beaton included threesomes.
While outlining a forensic report, Barber questioned whether Beaton understands the gravity of his offending, referencing a statement from Beaton during the evaluation in which the offender said “I had my fun and it caused me a lot of problems.”
Barber stated Beaton was unable to explain his behaviour during the assessment.
While Beaton demonstrated remorse for his offending, it was largely focused on the impact his actions had on himself and his family, the forensic report stated.
“He expressed little remorse for the victims. He tended to talk at length about his own accomplishments and charitable work, but was not able to explain his actions towards the victims,” Barber said.
Barber told court the forensic report questioned whether Beaton was being completely honest during the assessment.
“He claims it seems that this wasn’t a sexual interest in younger males, but based on all of the conversations and the reports it certainly seems that that’s something he needs to address.”
Beaton was determined to be a mid-level threat to re-offend with future sex related crimes.
Defence lawyer Chris Churchill took exception to Barber’s assertion Beaton was trying to groom the victims. Churchill said a Gladue Report captured his clients remorse and acceptance of responsibility.
He added Beaton comprehends his betrayal of authority and how his actions tarnished the NAC’s reputation.
“I think he is very sincerely working to be a better person and to get a handle on what got him into these difficulties and what really was the root of some of that behaviours that led to this offending.”
Due to constant stress related to work Beaton was drinking heavily when his offending occurred, according to Churchill.
He said Beaton had an unstable childhood at times, which included exposure to substance use. Beaton doesn’t have any mental illnesses, while an alcohol use disorder is currently in remission, court was told.
Beaton faced severe backlash as a public figure and is now collecting employment insurance, Churchill said.
Beaton read out a brief prepared statement he said was geared toward the victims.
“I’m very sorry that I hurt you, I acknowledge that I alone am responsible for my actions. What I did was wrong. I will not repeat that behaviour again. I strive everyday to be a better person and I hope that one day you may forgive me, thank you Your Honour,” Beaton said.
No victim impact statements were submitted to the court.
Beaton attended the proceedings with his wife and one of his sons, who continue offering their support.
Judge Sheila Archer emphasized how she was pleased to see strong family support to help guide the offender in a hopeful path to rehabilitation.
Judge Archer said hopefully further counselling will help determine what caused Beaton’s offending.
“There must be some underlying reason why someone in your position doing so well would have perpetrated what had been aptly described as self-destructive behaviours,” the judge said.
While Beaton’s actions could have resulted in a jail sentence, the Crown and defence agreed a non-custodial arrangement with numerous protective conditions served the public’s interest.
Beaton will be on probation for two years, which includes no contact orders with the victims and people under 18-years-old other than family members, counselling, no alcohol or non-prescription drug use and restricted internet access.
For the next five years numerous conditions tailored for sex offenders will apply to Beaton, including employment and internet use restrictions and not having contact with people under 16-years-old other than family members.
Beaton was ordered to produce a DNA sample and will appear on the National Sex Offender Registry for life.
Beaton abruptly left his role as head of the NAC in March 2021 and charges against him were laid against him several months later.
An NAC board member told NanaimoNewsNOW the organization plans to release a statement later this week after the facts of Beaton’s sentencing hearing can be absorbed.
The NAC, which Beaton helped build, launched in 2013 and provides a range of services primarily to Nanaimo area vulnerable youth, including housing, recreational programming and cultural excursions.
Beaton spent more than 25 years in the social services sector, most of which was served in Nanaimo.
He was appointed by the ministry of children and family development in 2019 to serve a two year term as a member of the Provincial Child Care Council.
Beaton had no prior criminal record.
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A wide range of 24/7 mental health and other support services are available free of charge, including the Canadian Crisis Hotline (1-888-353-2273), Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566) and the Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868).
Additional resources for Indigenous people are available through the KUU-US Crisis Line at (1-800-588-8717).
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