A case that shocked the city came to a close today, when a 37-year-old Hamilton man was sentenced to a little more than 10 years in prison, including time served, for the horrific sex abuse of his young step daughter, and for offering her to other pedophiles through Craigslist.

Dozens of support group members were in court to hear the sentence with family members, whose identities are protected to maintain the privacy of the victim. Volunteers with Guardians of the Children also go by pseudonyms, G.P.S. says his hands still hurt from being gripped so tightly by the young victim’s relatives as they sat in court.

In May 2016 a seven year old girl told her biological father that her stepfather was abusing her, and police found thousands of images and hundreds of videos on his phone. He pleaded guilty. It had been going on for 18 months.

The content of the pictures and video, the judge said, “Is, quite simply, unspeakable repulsive and profoundly sickening.”

Three other people have been found guilty of the child’s abuse, and one further prosecution remains.

“There can be little doubt that the community at large is alarmed, demoralized and disturbed by learning that anyone, never mind four people who up until recently walked in our midst, could be capable of engaging in such monstrously grotesque behaviour,” Justice Gage said.

The victim’s family and their supporters say the sentence for such a crime should be longer.

Justice Gage had these words for friends and family, “The natural inclination is to succumb to depression and despair, but for the victim’s sake we must resist. No sentence will ease her pain. There is both promise and hope to be found in the bravery and resilience of (the victim) in disclosing the abuse. Her family can build on that.”