After being convicted of numerous sexual assault-related charges, the sentencing hearing for Sarnia's former fire chief began Friday.
Patrick Cayen was convicted on more than 30 charges involving four victims in January, though a publication ban previously prevented the media from reporting on some of the convictions related to when he was a teen.
Among the convictions; invitation to sexual touching and sexual interference, which involve victims under the age of 16.
On Friday, as emotional victim impact statements were presented to the court, the judge also lifted the publication ban on the convictions from when Cayen was a young offender.
One victim, who was a young girl when she was sexually assaulted, told the court how her life changed because of his actions.
"You're the monster that children fear at night wearing the disguise of a decent human being."
However, addressing the court, 56-year-old Cayen offered little remorse and continued to deny any wrongdoing.
"I would never harm a child...If there was any of that, I apologize from the bottom of my heart, but I have no memory of that."
Outside the courthouse, one victim - who can't be identified, told CTV News, "It deeply impacted my self-esteem, my self-respect, there was an inordinate amount of shame...One of the things that I'm thrilled about is the lifting of the publication ban, so that the public is aware this man has been offending since he was a child."
A second victim echoed similar concerns, saying, "Mostly it's just affected how I parent, and how terrified I am of something like that happening to my kids...The biggest thing that stuck out in my mind is that he has no memories, and I wish I didn't have those memories."
The defence is asking for a sentence of two to three years, while the Crown is seeking a five to seven year sentence.
But one victim says, "The first forty years of my life have been spent contending with the impact of this crime and as far as I'm concerned if he spends the remaining 40 years of his life dealing with that, so be it."
The judge is expected to hand down the sentence on May 15th.
