Donnie Snook sex-abuse complaint raised in 2007

A Saint John woman has come forward to say she tried to warn the police that former city councillor Donnie Snook was a pedophile several years before his arrest. 

The woman, who cannot be identified because of a publication ban that protects Snook’s victims, said her brother was sexually assaulted in Snook's home while sleeping over one night in the spring of 2007.

The woman said she wants the public to know that she tried to tell authorities and no one seemed to care about her complaint.

The family had known Snook for years. The woman said her brother was one of his Snook’s favourites, so he got invited out to dinner and sponsored for camps that the family could not afford.

No one has ever said why no one has called us back. Everything was just swept under the carpet and he went back to his sunshiny life.-  Saint John woman

She said when their parents did not believe what happened on one sleepover night, she took her 13-year-old brother to the Saint John Police. The woman was 15 at the time.

She said they both gave videotaped statements, but no one followed up on their complaints.

“And as a result, how many children had to pay?” the woman said.

Snook pleaded guilty in May to 46 sex abuse charges dating back to 2001, involving 17 boys as young as five years old.

Crown prosecutor Karen Lee Lamrock recommended Snook be sentenced to 21 years in prison, with no eligibility for parole until he has served at least half of his sentence or 10 years, whichever is less.

Meanwhile, Snook’s defence lawyer has requested a sentence of 12 years in prison and asked that Snook be given one-and-a-half credit for the nearly eight months he has already spent in custody.

Provincial court Judge Alfred Brien has reserved sentencing until Oct. 10. He wants time to consider all of the information presented.

Family contacted after arrest

The Saint John woman said she and her brother were only contacted by the Saint John Police after Snook's arrest in January.

She said she doesn't know how the police got her name or number and the family never learned whether the police kept her file.

“No one has ever said why no one has called us back. Everything was just swept under the carpet and he went back to his sunshiny life,” he said.

She said it's been crushing to hear about all the other victims, especially when she's convinced some of those crimes could have been prevented.

Snook is also facing four child sexual exploitation charges in Newfoundland and Labrador.