Former sailing coach sentenced to jail for sexually assaulting students

[projekktor id=’25723′]

A former Burlington sailing coach was sentenced today for sexually abusing young boys. Before we tell you more, a caution: some of the details in this story are disturbing.

Sean Hewson was arrested in 2014 after 7 boys contacted police about sexual abuse going back as far as 2003. The judge in this case imposed a publication ban so we will not be identifying any of the victims. At 9:30 Friday morning Sean Hewson was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by 3 years probation. His family was inside the court room along with family members of the victims.

One of the victims mothers told us, “Everyone was very disappointed. We are confused by the criminal justice system that allows such a lenient sentence to someone who prays on children.”

Hewson who is now 34 pled guilty in March. The 18 month sentence broke down this way: He was accused of performing anal and oral sex on a 13 year old boy 2007. He pled guilty to sexual exploitation, for that the judge sentenced him to one year in prison. A year earlier in 2006 Hewson invited a different 13 year old boy back to his house. For that he pled guilty to invitation to sexual touching, he got 3 more months for that charge. In 2009 Hewson invited a 13 year old boy back to his home and fondled his genitals and preformed oral sex. For that he pled guilty to sexual interference and was sentenced to another 3 month in prison.

In a victim impact statement one of the victims wrote: “While my friends were having their first movie date experiences with girlfriends and boyfriends, I was being groomed for a sexually abusive relationship that would span years of my life.”

As part of his probation conditions, Hewson was directed not to communicate with any of the victims. He is also restricted from going within 20 metres of any place where he knows the victims may be within the next 10 years and is prohibited from working or being a volunteer in any capacity that involves being in a position of trust or authority towards boys under the age of 16.