Former prisoner abused by guard at B.C. jail wins damages
Last Updated: Thursday, August 30, 2007 | 2:25 PM PT
The Canadian Press
The B.C. Supreme Court awarded $55,000 to a former prisoner in Chilliwack, B.C., who was sexually assaulted by a guard at a regional correctional centre in the Lower Mainland nearly 25 years ago.
The award includes $50,000 for general and punitive damages, and $5,000 for future counselling.
Former guard William MacDougall was found guilty in 2000 of nine counts of sexual and indecent assault of five prisoners between 1980 and 1991 and was sentenced to four years in prison.
The man whose damages were just decided wasn't part of that criminal case.
Justice David Brine said it's clear from the evidence that the man struggled and still struggles with some consequences of the abuse 25 years later.
The judge said MacDougall's conduct in taking advantage of his position of authority against a young vulnerable inmate was repugnant.
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