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Squamish resident sentenced for child pornography charges

Richard Michael Hazelwood will spend six months in jail, followed by two years of probation.
NVProv Courthouse001Kevin
North Vancouver Provincial Court.

Warning: This story may be disturbing to some readers.

A North Vancouver judge has sentenced a Squamish resident to jail for the possession of child pornography.

On April 29, Judge Joanne Challenger determined that Richard Michael Hazelwood, who is in his 20s, will spend six months in jail, followed by two years of probation.

Previously, just over a year ago, Hazelwood pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse imagery.

As Challenger issued her decision, she recounted Hazelwood's actions.

The online file-sharing service Dropbox notified authorities in 2020 that a user had accessed and was in possession of child pornography, she said.

The material was uploaded to an account over the course of 2015, and the images were accessed six times, including in January and April of 2020.

On July 16, 2020, a search warrant was executed, and Hazelwood's electronic devices were seized, she said.

Challenger said there were 79 files containing sexually explicit material of children aged three to 10 years old.

"A sampling of the videos in the offender's possession were reviewed in court. All the images were depraved and revolting," said the judge.

Challenger said Hazelwood was introduced to the images in an online chat.

"He chose to keep the images despite being aware of what they depicted, and attempted to share the material with another person," the judge said. "He said he had accessed the images only a few times since uploading them."

Challenger said Hazelwood grew up in Squamish with the benefit of a stable and loving home.

Letters from friends and family attested to his good character and described him as a dedicated father, she said.

Challenger said Hazelwood's wife, though very disturbed by the nature of the offence, does not believe her husband presents a danger to their children.

The Ministry of Child Protection has required his wife to follow a safety plan, Challenger said.

A psychologist gave the opinion that Hazelwood is at a low risk to re-offend, the judge said.

"This offender's moral culpability is not attenuated by any cognitive challenges, mental health issues or addictions," said Challenger.

The terms of his probation include, among other things, a prohibition on his visiting places such as public parks, community centres, public swimming pools, theatres or areas where those aged 16 or younger are present.

It also bans him from being in contact or in communication with people aged 16 or under.

Certain exceptions apply, such as when permission is given by a probation officer.

Challenger also ordered Hazelwood to provide DNA, and that he is to be bound by an order of the Sex Offender Information Registration Act for several years.





 

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