A Windsor judge has denied a request by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Young to ban the media from his sentencing hearing. The 63-year-old Belle River massage therapist was found guilty last September on seven counts of sexual assault involving four female clients.
Judge's Ruling on Media Presence
Superior Court Justice Scott Pratt ruled against Young's motion, stating that removing the media from the courtroom is an extraordinary remedy not to be taken lightly. 'In all but very narrow circumstances, courtrooms are always open and that includes the media,' Pratt said during the hearing on Thursday.
Young's Arguments
Young, who is representing himself, argued that news coverage had made it difficult for him to focus on his defense. He specifically pointed to a Windsor Star article from a previous sentencing hearing in May, claiming it portrayed him negatively. 'I'm torn apart ever since I read it,' Young told the court. 'For the last two weeks, I'm beside myself, staring at the walls like I'm paralyzed.'
Young also accused a Windsor Star reporter in the courtroom of cutting him to pieces before he had a chance to finish representing himself. The earlier article had reported Young accusing the complainants of being 'bent on destroying me.'
Details of the Conviction
Young was convicted on seven counts of sexual assault, including touching of breasts and genitalia, stemming from visits made more than a decade ago. The offenses occurred while he was working as a massage therapist.
Remorse and Mitigation
On Thursday, Young expressed remorse for his actions, attributing his behavior to previously unmedicated ADHD. 'It breaks my heart to know all these years people were suffering because of me,' he said. He acknowledged that his neurodivergent behavior does not excuse the trauma caused to his victims.
Young pointed to a crime-free period since his last offense in July 2021 as a mitigating factor, arguing it demonstrates good behavior and a low likelihood of reoffending. He requested a conditional sentence of less than two years to be served on house arrest followed by probation.
Prosecution's Position
Assistant Crown Attorney Elizabeth Brown has called for a five-year penitentiary term. The sentencing hearing is ongoing.
