Eighty-two-year-old Bruce Escott has been sentenced to 13 years in prison, less 1,049 days time served, for horrific sexual violence against teenage boys that spans back to the mid 1990s.

The Crown had been seeking 18 years for the offences, while the defense argued for nine.

Escott appeared by video, mostly staring in silence, as Judge Phyllis Harris handed down the sentence.

In the small courtroom, it was standing room only between those impacted by Escott’s actions and the media.

Some could be heard taking a deep breath as the sentence was read.

In handing down her decision, Judge Harris argued that Escott “knew better,” noting that he knew how to treat children properly given his relationships with his own children and grandchildren.

In terms of the victims, she said he “stole their childhood from them” and it’s “hard to imagine a more duplicitous life.”

Judge Harris did note Escott’s guilty plea, nothing that it is an acceptance of responsibility, and it saved the victims from having to relive their experiences in court.

Victim responds

One of Escott’s victims was in the courtroom for today’s sentencing.

He told reporters he doesn’t believe the sentence reflects the crimes.

“He should have got, you know, a higher sentence,” the unnamed victim told VOCM News, “at least double that. But it seems like…he basically won and got what he wanted. I don’t feel like we got justice at all.”