Close X
Sunday, October 6, 2024
ADVT 
National

Former Thompson Rivers University Employee Changes Plea To Guilty In Child Pornography Case

The Canadian Press, 19 Aug, 2015 11:52 AM
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — The former director of graduate studies at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C., has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.
     
    Andrew McKay appeared in provincial court in Salmon Arm on Tuesday without his lawyer to change his plea to guilty.
     
    Court heard that on May 12, 2014, in Kamloops, McKay was found in the possession of child porn.
     
    Crown lawyer Bill Hilderman said the wait for a risk-assessment report could delay sentencing up to six weeks.
     
    Judge Mayland McKimm asked McKay why his defence lawyer was not in court.
     
    “It has been devastating on my career, family and marriage and I’m eager to deal with it directly,” McKay said.
     
    “It also has been financially devastating. Because today’s appearance is to change my plea, frankly, to save a bit of expense, I wanted to appear on my own."
     
    McKimm tried to establish that McKay understood the ramifications of changing his plea.
     
    “I absolutely understand the short- and long-term circumstances and giving up my right to trial,” McKay said. “It’s not in any way (that) I don’t know what I’m doing.”
     
    While the judge said a lawyer might wish to investigate different avenues of defence, McKay said he wanted to expedite the process for the sake of his family.
     
    “I understand,” McKimm said. “I’m giving you 100 per cent credit for that.”
     
    A pre-sentence report with a psychological and psychiatric component will be sought for McKay. 
     
    The next court date is Oct. 13, when a date will be set for sentencing. (Kamloops This Week)
     

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Campers Evacuated As Crews Fight Aggressive Harrison Lake Wildfire

    Campers Evacuated As Crews Fight Aggressive Harrison Lake Wildfire
    Fire information officer says a fire discovered Sunday afternoon burning in slash and brush about 20 kilometres north of Harrison Hot Springs has grown to nearly half a square kilometre

    Campers Evacuated As Crews Fight Aggressive Harrison Lake Wildfire

    B.C. Ministry Says Upgrades To Highway Where Bus Crashed Are 'Critical'

    B.C. Ministry Says Upgrades To Highway Where Bus Crashed Are 'Critical'
    The two-lane stretch is notorious for collisions and the province announced earlier this year it would be upgraded to four lanes to improve safety

    B.C. Ministry Says Upgrades To Highway Where Bus Crashed Are 'Critical'

    Four Dead, Two Injured As Car GetsTrapped Under The Fuel Tanker Near Granby, Quebec

    Four Dead, Two Injured As Car GetsTrapped Under The Fuel Tanker Near Granby, Quebec
    Quebec provincial police say a fiery crash involving a tanker truck and three cars Friday night has resulted in the death of four people outside Montreal.

    Four Dead, Two Injured As Car GetsTrapped Under The Fuel Tanker Near Granby, Quebec

    Multiple Drones Force Wildfire Crews To Halt Air Operations Near Kelowna, B.C.

    Multiple Drones Force Wildfire Crews To Halt Air Operations Near Kelowna, B.C.
    WEST KELOWNA, B.C. — Crews have been forced to halt air operations on a wildfire burning near West Kelowna, B.C., due to multiple drones flying overhead.

    Multiple Drones Force Wildfire Crews To Halt Air Operations Near Kelowna, B.C.

    Governor General David Johnston Dissolves Parliament For Oct. 19 Election Campaign

    Governor General David Johnston Dissolves Parliament For Oct. 19 Election Campaign
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he has asked Governor General David Johnston to dissolve Parliament, touching off an 11-week campaign in advance of an election Oct. 19.

    Governor General David Johnston Dissolves Parliament For Oct. 19 Election Campaign

    Ontario Premier Rails Against Harper For Anticipated Early Election Call

    Ontario Premier Rails Against Harper For Anticipated Early Election Call
    One of Canada's most prominent politicians is lambasting the idea of an early federal election call as "unnecessary" and an affront to taxpayers who will foot the bill.

    Ontario Premier Rails Against Harper For Anticipated Early Election Call