CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A 44-year-old man who was sentenced in 2018 to five years in prison for sex offences involving a minor has been granted day parole.
Joseph Gordon MacRoberts pleaded guilty to two offences that included sexual interference, starting when the victim was younger than the age of consent.
In a recent decision, the Parole Board of Canada granted MacRoberts day parole but denied him full parole.
The board said it believed Mac Roberts’ plan for full parole was premature and more work needed to be done on day parole before a “more liberal” release could be considered.
MacRoberts, who is originally from St. John’s, was living in P.E.I. when he convinced the victim they were in a relationship and committed the offences over a span of several years.
The victim told the court she would agree to have sex with MacRoberts but didn’t like it.
She felt dirty and disgusting, and struggled with thoughts of killing herself, the victim said.
The abuse ended when the victim reported it.
During MacRoberts’ sentencing, P.E.I. Supreme Court Justice Terri MacPherson said the extent of his moral culpability was high.
The board’s report said MacRoberts expressed remorse for what he did to the victim and her family.
While in custody, MacRoberts completed programming related to sex offences, and the board said a final report indicated his ability to use the skills needed to manage his risk factors was rated as needing some improvement.
MacRoberts’ plan for day parole included moving back to Newfoundland and Labrador where he was accepted into two community-based residential facilities.
The board said it was satisfied MacRoberts achieved a level of insight into his offending behaviour and he acquired skills to manage his risk factors.
“However, you still remain a work in progress,” the board said.
With the day parole, the board also imposed several conditions on MacRoberts, including that he must avoid any contact with the victim or her family.
MacRoberts must also report all intimate sexual and non-sexual relationships and friendships with females.
As part of his sentence, MacRoberts will be on the national sex offender registry for life, he will have a DNA sample in the national databank for life and he will be under a lifetime weapons prohibition.
