Bruce Escott sentencing hearing delayed nearly a week because defence not ready
Crown seeking ‘significant term of imprisonment’ for convicted sex offender
The sentencing hearing for an 82-year-old serial sexual predator won't proceed as scheduled on Friday, but will be punted to next week.
Last November, Bruce Escott was convicted after pleading guilty to seven charges in relation to six victims.
In a hastily-convened court hearing Wednesday afternoon, Escott's defence lawyer asked for more time to prepare.
Mackenzie Hughes said he had pneumonia over the holidays and has been on the road travelling this month — to Happy Valley-Goose Bay twice, Stephenville and now Clarenville.
"I just haven't had the chance to address, properly, the sentencing," Hughes told the court.
He asked for a short adjournment to give him time to prepare.
Crown prosecutor Deidre Badcock didn't contest the application, given the short turnaround to have the matter dealt with, as court time is available next week.
"We want him to be as prepared as we are, because we are looking for a significant term of imprisonment on Mr. Escott moving forward," Badcock said.
"The Crown is just greatly concerned, generally, about how delay impacts everything. Delay impacts the trauma on complainants."
Judge Phyllis Harris granted the defence request, but said she will expect the matter to proceed next Thursday, and conclude on that date.
Escott, a former taxi driver, is one of two men at the epicentre of a sweeping sexual exploitation case in St. John's.
Escott lived in a trailer by the airport, just down the street from his co-accused, Tony Humby.
The agreed statement of facts in Escott's case allege the two men worked in concert, with Escott often driving boys to Humby's trailer and abusing them in the car.
Humby has pleaded not guilty, and is set for trial on dozens of charges in March.
Both men have been in custody since their arrests in April 2023.
Escott's sentencing hearing is now scheduled for Feb. 6.
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