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(ASHLEY LEGASSIC - REPORTER / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops man will spend the next year behind bars after being convicted of sexual interference involving a young boy.

Supreme Court Justice Len Marchand delivered his decision today, Sept. 19, in Kamloops Supreme Court. He detailed the offence of 55-year-old Gardian Angel, which included having sex with a 14-year-old boy he had met on the location-based hook up app Grindr. Marchand found earlier this year that Angel didn't take all reasonable steps to ensure the victim's age before having sex with him.

In his decision today, Marchand sentenced Angel to 12 months in jail and a year and a half of probation. He recalled Angel's statement to the court last week before he was sentenced, in which he apologized for the mistakes he had made in his life, and apologized to those affected by them.

"Mr. Angel did not apologize directly to the complainant," Marchand said, adding that he didn't believe Angel had taken full responsibility for his actions against the victim.

Marchand referred to Angel's lawyer Jay Michi's statement during a sentencing hearing last week, in which Michi detailed the mental health struggles Angel has had especially since the case was covered by the media. Marchand said he considers Angel a vulnerable person due to his mental health issues and the struggles he had in his early life.

"I sincerely hope that you will seek help to deal with your past problems and mental health issues," Marchand told Angel after sentencing him.

During his probation order, Angel will be barred from contacting the complainant, going to the complainant's school or workplace, being in the presence of a minor, and using social media or dating sites.

Angel must also register as a sex offender for 20 years.

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