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WARNING: This article contains details of sexual assault.
A 48-year-old Essex County man will spend time in prison for several sexual-related offences against three young girls he hired to babysit his own kids.
Allen Corcoran was sentenced Thursday to a total sentence of six years on eight separate charges, including sexual assault, sexual interference, exposing his genitals and invitation to sexual touching.
The victims were between the ages of 12 to 15, and worked as babysitters in his home several years ago.
Some of his victims, and their family members, sat in the courtroom as Corcoran was sentenced.
“I hope you rot in hell,” one woman said in the courtroom as Corcoran was taken away by Windsor police.
During the trial, Corcoran testified in his own defence that nothing inappropriate ever happened with the girls.
Offender ‘does not recall’ doing anything inappropriate
In a pre-sentence report read in court by the judge, Corcoran told his probation officer that “he does not recall engaging in any of the offences.”
However, Justice Mario Carroccia rejected his evidence at the end of the trial and indicated she believed the testimony of the complainants.
Carroccia said Corcoran took advantage of a position of trust and authority.
“The conduct was not isolated. It was repeated against a number of girls who were in a vulnerable, dependent position,” said Carroccia.
When the babysitters were hired, Corcoran and his wife had three young kids at home, with the oldest being three-years-old.
The babysitters were generally at the home when the wife was away and Corcoran was present because he “struggled” taking care of all three by himself, the court heart.
One incident happened while babysitter was changing child’s diaper
While one of the girls was changing his baby’s diaper, the judge found that Corcoran touched her breasts under her bra.
In another incident, Corcoran is believed to have tickled the same girl to the ground, pulled out his penis and pushed it against her.
The judge also believed that he placed the girl’s hand on his erect penis while she made lunch in his home.
And on a separate occasion, the court found he exposed himself to one of the girls at the top of the staircase while his wife was bringing in groceries.
The court also found that Corcoran exposed himself to the girls while giving them a ride home and asked one if she wanted to have sex with him.
Victim continues to get nightmares about what happened, court hears
When victim impact statements were read during a previous court appearance, one of the victims said she continues to suffer from anxiety, depression and sometimes gets flashbacks or nightmares about what happened.
The six-year sentence falls short of the eight to 10 years the Crown was seeking.
Corcoran also cannot communicate with any of his victims while he’s in prison.
The judge also ordered he not be able obtain employment or volunteer where he’s in a position of authority involving people under the age of 16 for five years after he’s released.
If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911. For support in your area, you can look for crisis lines and local services via the Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada database.