Bay of Islands man back to jail after 2nd conviction of sexually abusing a minor
A man from Irishtown–Summerside, on Newfoundland's west coast, has again been sentenced for sexual offences involving a minor.
Travas Kendell, 41, has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexual interference and sexual exploitation of a girl with a disability.
The offences, which range from sexual touching to intercourse, happened between January 1 and August 10, 2016.
Kendell pleaded guilty in July and a written decision on sentencing was released by Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court Justice Brian Furey on Monday.
In a victim impact statement the girl wrote: "I have nightmares. My biggest fear is Travas sexually abusing another child. I also fear Travas entering the school where I attend."
"I carry a lot of anger and angst," wrote the girl's mother, in her statement. "I have gone from being a happy go lucky lady to a lady who has massive trust issues."
Previous conviction
It is the second time in five years that Kendell has been convicted for sexually assaulting a minor.
In March 2012, Kendell was jailed for sexual interference on a 14-year-old girl while she was an army cadet, and he was a cadet leader.
They had a sexual relationship that lasted from December 2009 to April 2010.
Kendell was given 21 months in prison and 12 months probation for the first conviction.
A pre-sentence report for the Aug. 14, 2017 sentencing noted that Kendell "takes responsibility for his offences and he expressed appropriate remorse."
The report goes on to say, "Mr. Kendell articulated no insight as to why he re-offended less that two years after [serving] the sentence from his prior offence."
Current case
"Adult sexual predators recognize that children are particularly vulnerable and they exploit this weakness to achieve their selfish end, heedless of the dire consequences that can and often do follow," Justice Furey wrote.
Along with the six-year sentence, Furey placed Kendell on the sex offender registry for life and ordered him to give DNA samples.
For the next 20 years, Kendell must stay away from schools, playgrounds, daycare centres, or other areas where children under 16 are present or could reasonably be expected to be present.
In concluding his sentencing, Furey wrote: "The sentence I imposed is a lengthy one. It is meant to express the court's denunciation of your unlawful conduct with the vulnerable young girl."
He continued: "And to deter you and other persons from committing such serious, selfish and invasive offences."
Kendell and the federal government are being sued by the complainant in his first conviction who alleges that the government should have protected her as a armed forces cadet, but failed.
