Mark Wetmore, 35, was charged in June of 2021 for sexually abusing two minors. The offences occurred between January 2008 and August 2017. In the summer of 2024, the court found Westmore guilty of inviting both girls to touch him for a sexual purpose and sexual assault of one of the survivors.
On November 14, 2024, the two survivors provided victim impact statements for the court to consider for Westmore’s sentence. The survivors, now adults, in their victim impact statements, detailing the lasting harm caused by the abuse. They described feelings of shame, isolation, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. The abuse significantly impacted their mental health and academic performance.
The Crown prosecutor is seeking a substantial prison sentence to reflect the severity of the crimes and deter future offenses. The defense, however, is arguing for a lesser sentence, citing Wetmore’s lack of prior criminal record and potential for rehabilitation.
The court will issue Westmore’s sentence on December 19, 2024.
Westmore was also charged, in August 2023, with allegedly sexually abusing another minor, also a member of the church youth group of which he was leader, at his home between June 2012 and September 2013, the trial for this charge has been scheduled for September 2025 and December 2025.
Your Legal Options After Sexual or Institutional Abuse
At Wagners, we’ve met survivors of sexual or institutional abuse who find it extremely difficult to share their experiences, even with a lawyer. We have a team that is professional and compassionate so you can rely on their experience to explain your legal options and provide the assistance you need to fight for your fair compensation. Abuse survivors can trust us to use the information they share to ensure the person or institution responsible are brought to justice. We take the time to evaluate the specifics of your case and advise on the best legal option to help you receive the monetary compensation you need to recover from the abuse you endured.
File criminal charges: If you take this option, you will not get monetary compensation. Investigations will be done, and the accused will be arrested if sufficient evidence is found. If the defendant is found guilty, he or she could face punishment like imprisonment.
Civil lawsuit: In this case, we pursue the case on behalf of the survivor in civil court. If found at fault, the assailant will be required to pay monetary compensation, which would assist the survivor to recover from the abuse.
Class action lawsuit: It is also possible to file a class action lawsuit against an assailant who assaulted several people. The group of survivors can come together to collectively file a class action suit against the person or institution that was responsible for the assault or abuse.
Regardless of when it occurred, if you have been the victim of sexual abuse by a teacher or school staff in the Maritimes, contact Liam O’Reilly and the team at Wagners to understand your legal rights
Compensation
At Wagners, we firmly believe that no amount of compensation can eliminate the pain and suffering that your assailant caused, but there is so much good that comes from a successfully resolved institutional or sexual abuse claim. As a survivor, the monetary compensation you receive can assist you to recover from the abuse and cater to the medical costs involved. Holding the assailant accountable also restores your dignity and encourages other victims of sexual and institutional abuse to come out and seek justice as well.
The amount of compensation you deserve for your sexual or institutional abuse claim will depend on many factors. Some of these factors include:
- How the abuse affected your ability to support yourself and make sufficient income
- The type of medical treatment you need or you have sought due to the abuse
- The personal or unique circumstances of your lawsuit
We know that sexual or institutional abuse is a terrible experience, and many victims usually have a heavy burden that they are likely to carry for a long time. For this reason, we offer reliable legal assistance that you need to get the monetary burden off your shoulders. Our main goal is to build a strong strategy and successfully fight for your rights.
https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/lower-sackville-man-pleads-not-guilty-to-luring-sexually-exploiting-children-100629460/ ; https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/lower-sackville-man-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-two-girls-100643457/ ; https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/lower-sackville-man-headed-to-trial-on-sex-charges-involving-two-girls-100754392/ ; https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/lower-sackville-man-faces-may-2023-trial-on-sex-charges-involving-girls-100761360/ ; https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/lower-sackville-mans-trial-on-sex-related-charges-set-for-may-2024-100852545/ ; https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/former-youth-leader-at-ns-church-faces-charges-involving-third-teen-100940866/ ; https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/former-youth-leader-at-ns-church-faces-charges-involving-third-teen-100940866/