Warning: This story may be disturbing to some readers.
A Squamish resident who pleaded guilty to charges of possession of child pornography and voyeurism will be serving jail time followed by probation.
On May 5, Judge James Sutherland sentenced Robert Gibb, who is in his late 40s, to nine months of jail and two years of probation.
Before issuing his decision in North Vancouver court that day, Sutherland recounted that Facebook made a report on Oct. 31, 2020, to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
Sutherland said the social media service told authorities Gibb was suspected of sending images of child sexual abuse to other users via a Facebook Messenger chatroom.
Squamish RCMP were alerted, and on Dec. 17, 2020, officers reviewed images that they determined contained child abuse imagery.
"The video was a 50-second…video that depicted the abuse of a female child six years of age," Sutherland said, giving an example of one of the files.
Officers executed a search warrant and seized Gibb's electronic devices, where they located imagery.
Sutherland said the imagery involved children estimated to be four to six years of age at the youngest, up to children believed to be aged 12 to 14.
The judge also described several cases where Gibb engaged in voyeurism, recording females without their knowledge or consent. In those cases, Gibb focused the camera on the lower halves of their bodies.
As part of bail conditions imposed by the judge, Gibb is not to go to places such as parks, community centres, theatres, public swimming pools and other places frequented by people under the age of 18.
Some exceptions apply, such as when Gibb is given the written permission of a probation officer, which he is to carry at all times.
Limitations were also placed on Gibb's internet usage and his electronic devices.
Sutherland also ordered that Gibb comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and provide some of his DNA.
Gibb did not meet the criteria for any major mental disorder, according to psychological testing, Sutherland said.
"Considering a definition of sexual violence as actual, attempted or threatened sexual contact with another person that is non-consensual, [a psychologist] concluded that Mr. Gibb posed a moderate risk for future sexual violence within the next six to 12 months," the judge said.
Gibb said that he needed help and was seeking assistance for his problems.
Sutherland acknowledged the efforts that Gibb was making. The judge said Gibb would get as much help as he was prepared to accept.
"Don't give up on yourself," the judge said. "Nobody's giving up on you."
