A 36-year-old Greater Victoria man has been sentenced in connection to two sexual assaults that occurred on a BC Transit bus in 2021.
Adam James Barber pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault in Western Communities Court, where the court recently issued a suspended sentence and a three-year probation term.
The incident took place on November 1st, 2021, when Barber, while riding a bus, inappropriately touched two female passengers.
According to court documents, Barber admitted to squeezing the buttocks of both women, attributing his actions to being “really drunk” and believing it would be “a good way to find a girlfriend.”
He grabbed their buttocks as they walked by him in the aisle of the bus.
One of the victims was a young Indigenous woman, whose victim impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma caused by the assault.
In his decision, Provincial Court Judge Ted Gouge emphasized the significant impact such incidents have on victims, particularly those from marginalized communities.
Barber’s history of mental health challenges played a role in the court proceedings.
The court heard that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use disorder. Despite his long-standing resistance to treatment, Barber had shown some improvement in his condition over the past two years.
The Crown had sought a suspended sentence with three years of probation, while the defence advocated for a conditional discharge and two years of probation.
A conditional discharge would have meant Barber was not officially convicted of the crime. However, Judge Gouge determined that a conviction was necessary in the public interest, stating that Barber’s actions were clearly contrary to the Criminal Code and must be publicly condemned.
Gouge also considered Barber’s prior offence, which occurred on September 16th, 2021, just two months before the bus assaults.
In that case, Barber had received a conditional discharge and two years of probation. Judge Gouge highlighted the need to send a clear message that such behaviour would not be tolerated.
As part of his sentence, Barber will be subject to several probation conditions, including regular reporting to a probation officer, attending all recommended counselling and treatments, taking prescribed medications, and abstaining from intoxicating substances except when medically prescribed.
Additionally, Barber has been ordered to submit a DNA sample and comply with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act for 10 years.
