A Lytton support worker who stripped and shaved his unconscious victim “broke this young man,” a B.C. Supreme Court justice said Friday in a Kamloops courtroom.
Justice Sheri Donegan sentenced 48-year-old Michael Hume to three years in a federal prison for sex assault, unlawful confinement and uttering threats in connection to an incident in Lytton in August 2013.
“Mr. Hume’s conduct that day broke this young man,” Donegan said.
The victim was emotional during his testimony, struggling through tears as he testified to waking up on an August morning in 2013 after a drinking session as Hume was shaving his pubic region.
Much of his body hair had been removed.
He said Hume laughed and said, “Your girlfriend will like it.”
Hume then drove the young man home, gave him $50 and warned not to tell anyone. Hume earlier threatened him not to leave.
During the trial, Hume denied shaving the complainant, though he did acknowledge police seized hair from his vacuum cleaner and agreed with Crown it was not animal hair. He continues to deny the offence.
Defence lawyer Richard Kaiser outlined the work Hume did in the community, including palliative, justice and programs for youth. That included working as a key organizer for the B.C. Ambassador program.
Crown prosecutor Chris Balison argued Hume’s community work could not be used as an argument for a lighter sentence because it was that very reputation that allowed Hume to exploit his victim, who trusted him.
Donegan agreed, saying the victim “trusted Mr. Hume and his trust was betrayed in a most egregious way.”
Donegan also noted Lytton First Nation chief Janet Webster’s victim-impact statement. Webster said Hume’s actions, which followed years of community service, caused deep scars.
Kaiser argued Hume should serve 90 days jail, on weekends, along with three years of probation while the Crown sought four years in jail.
Donegan decided on a three-year sentence, classifying Hume’s crime as a serious sexual assault, Balison told the Herald.
In addition to the jail time, Hume was given a 20-year sex offender registry order.
Hume, who is not of First Nations ancestry, grew up in Merritt and went to school at Cariboo College for a social-work program.
He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis prior to his offence and dealt with the death of his wife, a former band administrator. Hume was also caring for his ailing father. The defence argued all those setbacks contributed to his stress and may have triggered the behaviour.
By Cam Fortems, Kamloops this Week
With files from Michael Potestio
