Island man sentenced to 2 years for abusing 3 children

An Island man who sexually abused three childrenwas sentenced Friday to two years in federal prison for what the judge called a "deeply troublingincident."

Elvis Patrick Labobe, 42, of Scotchfort, pleaded guilty to four charges stemming from the incident last August on a wooded property in Queen's County. Two other charges were stayed.

• P.E.I. man to be sentenced for child abuse

"These children have been deeply harmed. This will surely affect them later in life," said chief provincial court Judge Nancy Orr."The best we can do is make sure they and their families get the help they need now, to minimize the damage later on."

Court heard Labobe performed oral sex on a young boy andexposed himself to two girls, one of whom he tried to engage in sexual intercourse.

Abused as a child

We've seen what happens when people turns a blind eye.- Nancy Orr, chief provincial court judge

The court also heard Labobe himself had been abused as a child. Court heard the abuse was known toothers in his First Nations community at the time who chose not to report it.

The information was contained in a report prepared for the court by the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I.

"We've seen from Mr. Labobe what happens when people turn a blind eye," Orr said.

"This case will not be swept under the carpet."

Moderate to high risk to reoffend

Alcohol also played a big part in Labobe's crimes.

According to a pre-sentence report, Labobe had been drinking "all summer" leading up to the incident.The day before he assaulted the children, he'd consumed three quarts of vodka, three "two-fours" of beer and an ounce of marijuana.

Labobeposes a "moderate to high risk" to reoffend, according to asexual deviancyassessment.

Restorative justice possible

Court also heard Labobe sometimes hears voices and suffers nightmares.

He has attempted suicidemultiple times since childhood, and has been on a wait list to see a psychiatrist since his most recent suicide attempt in February.

Labobe willbe placed on probation for three years following his release from prison, at which time he intends to return to his home on Abegweit First Nation. Court heard neighbours hadthreatened to set his house on fire.

Labobe may participate in healing circles and otherrestorative justice measures, as outlined in a report preparedfor the court by the Mi'kmaqConfederacy of P.E.I.

DNA sample ordered

Labobeis not permitted to go to playgrounds, swimming pools or otherplaces used by childrenfor10 years after release from prison.

He was also ordered to provide aDNA sample for the national DNA registry, and his name will remain on the sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

Court heard the man's prior criminal record includes forcible confinement.His victim in that incident was a social worker who had come to his home to offer assistance.

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