WARNING: This story references the sexual assault of a minor and may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

A Hamilton man who sexually abused a 13-year-old girl who relied on him for shelter has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Gary Leblanc, 62, appeared before Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman last week for sentencing. 

With credit for time served in “harsh pre-trial jail conditions,” Leblanc will be sent to a provincial jail for two years to complete his sentence, Goodman said. 

“It bears repeating that Leblanc was in a position of trust and took advantage of a young vulnerable victim,” Goodman wrote in his decision. 

“The victim also relied on Leblanc for shelter and the necessaries of life.” 

After a judge-alone trial last year, Goodman found Leblanc guilty of sexual assault and sexual interference, and not guilty of other serious charges.  

Along with sexual assault and interference, Leblanc had initially been charged by Hamilton police in 2023 with trafficking a person under the age of 18, material benefit from sexual services and procuring persons — of which he was acquitted. 

‘I looked at him as my protector’

The victim, whose identity is protected under a publication ban, met Leblanc through his daughter when she was in Grade 3. She thought of Leblanc as a “father figure,” Goodman said. 

In November 2022, when she was 13, she moved into Leblanc’s home, said the decision. 

He touched her sexually before he left for work daily, Goodman said. 

“She would not be able to say no because Leblanc would get really angry and would withhold alcohol and/or drugs from her,” Goodman said. 

Leblanc worked as a driver for a lodging house that provides supportive housing for adults diagnosed with mental illnesses.

The girl lived with Leblanc for several months before the Children’s Aid Society placed her in foster care. 

She said in a recent victim impact statement that she continues to feel unsafe.

“I still can’t look at a grown man or be near a man … without automatically thinking of the ways they can harm me and the power they hold over me,” she wrote. 

“I looked at him as my protector, the one who would keep me safe, except he chose to sexualize me.” 

48 prior convictions

Leblanc’s criminal record dates back to 1980 and has 48 convictions, including three sexual offences against a nine-year-old, a 10-year-old, and an 18-year-old, Goodman said. 

Leblanc wasn’t convicted of any crimes for over 20 years, until 2022, Goodman’s decision said and Leblanc told the court that period indicates he can be rehabilitated. 

But Goodman said he was “not so convinced,” noting Leblanc has still had “some involvement in the criminal justice system” leading up to the sexual interference conviction.

After serving his prison sentence, Leblanc will be on probation for two years. He will also be added to the federal and provincial sex offender registries.