In cases of intra-familial sexual offences against children, family forgiveness and the financial dependence of the family on the offender cannot dominate sentencing considerations or justify a non-custodial disposition where the gravity of the offending otherwise requires immediate imprisonment. Pleas for mercy by child victims of sexual abuse should be treated with caution as they may reflect irrational self-blame rather than true forgiveness. Where the prosecution fails to challenge exculpatory statements made from the bar table, the sentencing judge is entitled to accept them, and the Crown cannot later contend on appeal that the judge should not have done so.
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