Plea in online sex abuse case

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50 year old John Gallagher of Hamilton pled guilty to making and possessing child porn, he is just one of many facing charges. In an agreed statement of facts, John Gallager admitted to responding to an online ad on Craigslist entitled “incest daughter.” He admitted to watching videos of the girl’s mother’s boyfriend having sexual intercourse with the 7-year-old Hamilton girl and that Gallagher was planning on filming him do it again. He also stated he planed on having intercourse with her as well, although he denies it ever happened.

Gallagher is one of five people accused of sexually exploiting the young girl. A 36-year-Hamilton man, a 38-year old Waterloo man and a 48-year old Waterloo woman are also facing a slew of charges including sexual assault and making child pornography. Charges against the girls mother have been stayed. Her boyfriend faces 40 charges.

Gallagher was also charged for communicating for the purpose of sex with a minor but to avoid trial, the crown is not proceeding with the charge. In the courtroom today, Gallagher kept his head down trying to avoid making eye contact with the little girl’s aunt who broke down into tears as her lawyer read her victim impact statement.

“Things will never be the same for my family. I second guess people’s motivations and trust no one. I feel like I was unable to protect her and once things are online… they are there forever. I am worried about her future.”

The aunt’s name can not be release in order to protect the identity of the victim but she says that the girl seems to be doing okay. She’s back at home with her biological father. Her brother however, is not doing so well. The 10 year old was witness to the girl being taken in the middle of the night and returning in a zombie like state. Everyone in the family is seeing a therapist.

Gallager will learn his fate Friday. The crown is seeking 3-4 years, the defence wants 2. The aunt says no sentence that is handed down will ever bring back what was taken from my neice.