Sentencing postponed for publication ban breaker
Posted Mar 17, 2015 01:04:24 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – A sexual assault victim in Halifax says she was blindsided when her name was posted on Facebook and she hopes it won’t deter other victims from seeking justice.
The Crown read a victim impact statement on behalf of the woman at a sentencing hearing today for David Winslow Sparks, who pleaded guilty in January to violating a publication ban that protects her identity.
The Crown also read an agreed statement of facts in provincial court that said Sparks posted the woman’s name on a Facebook group page in support of Lyle Howe, who was convicted of sexually assaulting her.
Judge Alanna Murphy said she hasn’t seen a case like this in her experience and research.
The Crown is seeking a jail term of seven to 15 days as well as a month of house arrest, a month of curfew and community service.
The defence is arguing for an unspecified period of probation and community service.
Sparks will be sentenced on March 30.
