Jeffrey Hogg sentenced to 40 months for sexually assaulting woman he met on online dating site
A P.E.I. man has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman he met on an online dating site.
This is the second time Jeffrey Lea Hogg, 35, has been convicted for sexually assaulting someone he met through the web site Plenty of Fish.
"In this case we certainly have sexual assault at the higher end of the scale," said Chief Provincial Court Judge Nancy Orr in passing sentence. "This assault stopped short of sexual intercourse, but it would be considered to be at the higher end of what would be constituted as sexual assault."
It happened in August 2015 in the New London area.
Hogg used a false name and told the woman he wanted to hire her as a receptionist.
Woman had infant with her night of attack
The victim testified in court that Hogg asked her to meet him on his father's boat.
She said she brought her infant child to the boat that evening. The child was in a stroller when the assault took place in the cabin of the vessel.
In court Friday the judge pointed out the woman's options that night were limited as she was on a boat in the middle of a river with an infant.
"They were both in a very vulnerable situation," said Orr.
Crown recommends 4 to 5 years in prison
Crown Attorney Valerie Moore had recommended a sentence of four to five years in prison.
"It wasn't something he did on an impulse. It involved planning, deception and manipulation," she told the judge.
"He told her elaborate lies about himself and his family to make himself appealing to her."
The Crown said Hogg "preyed on what she'd be interested in — a better job with better hours."
Defence recommends up to 3 years in prison
Hogg's lawyer, Brendan Hubley recommended a sentence of 30 to 36 months.
"It certainly was serious," said Hubley, but he pointed out that intercourse did not take place.
Second sexual assault conviction
This is second time Hogg has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman he met online.
In 2012, he also used a false name and the same dating site.
In that case he was sentenced to 27 months in prison.
He was still on parole at the time he committed this latest assault.
"He identifies vulnerabilities and preys on them," said Moore.
Court heard the assault has had a serious impact on the victim. She was bruised when she kicked and pulled away from him. She's had trouble sleeping and has been in counselling since the attack.
"It's hard and it affects me every day," the woman wrote in her victim impact statement which was read out in court. "I second guess every decision I make for myself and my children."
After his lawyer spoke, Hogg stood and addressed the court himself.
"I understand I have issues — relationship issues, self-esteem issues … I'm truly sorry," he said.
Judge questions parole eligibility
Judge Orr said Hogg continued to deny his first offence while in jail and has denied he is guilty of sexual assault in this case as well.
"It's quite clear there are issues Mr. Hogg needs to address. It will be difficult for a full rehabilitation to occur as long as he denies the offence," said Orr.
The sentence was 40 months but the judge gave Hogg credit of 345 days for the time he's already spent in custody since his arrest.
His DNA will go into the national DNA databank and he will be on the national registry for sex offenders for life.
As for when his prison sentence is up, Orr said, "One can only hope that if you get parole in the future, the appropriate restrictions will be placed on you. One would think that would limit your access online to dating websites."
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