Cody Rennie leaves the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit in this 2012 file photo. (File photo by David Murphy)
Iqaluit man sentenced to 5 years for sexual contact with minor
Previously convicted of sexual assault, Cody Rennie still ‘can be fully rehabilitated,’ judge says
An Iqaluit man was sentenced to five years in prison Monday after a jury found him guilty of sexual contact with a minor.
In June 2022, Cody Rennie, who was 31 years old at the time, communicated with and picked up a 14-year-old girl at Joamie School, Justice Mia Manocchio said, while delivering her sentence.
The victim’s name is protected by a publication ban.
In their submissions, Crown prosecutor Emma Baasch called for Rennie to be handed a six-year prison sentence while Stacey Purser, Rennie’s lawyer, suggested two years.
“I’m sure you can be fully rehabilitated, sir,” Justice Mia Manocchio said in sentencing Rennie to five years.
The judge said she had to go with a higher sentence within the allowable range, as the law requires her to be “tough” when it comes to sexual offences against minors.
On top of the prison sentence, Rennie, who is now 34, was handed a lifetime prohibition on possessing weapons.
Rennie was himself a victim of sexual abuse as a child, court was told, and was previously convicted of sexually assaulting three Iqaluit boys under the age of 14 in 2009.
In 2012, Justice Neil Sharkey sentenced Rennie to 18 months for the offence, saying he believed Rennie’s remorse was real and didn’t think it was “necessary to send [Rennie] to a federal penitentiary to ensure a safer Nunavut.”
5 years for traumatizing a kid for life 🤬
5 years is a slap on the wrist. He was sent to jail for 3 prior convictions. Should have sent him there for 20 plus years for the emotional and traumatic experience he placed on these young children. No. He will not be rehabilitated. Its like a wild animal that tastes blood. They want more because they love the taste of blood and the kill. He should be considered a dangerous offender.
5 years is not enough! watch he will be back up to it again , he will not change. he will keep up appearances that he changed and he will go back into what he does like he has already done. justice system is a joke in nunavut.
On top of this, you only have to serve one fifth of your sentence if you are a federal offender, meaning he will be eligible for release into a halfway house in 12 short months… He will likely be released to the halfway house (CRC) in Iqaluit where he will be free to continue to prey on the vulnerable in the community… sickening.
He’s done it before and this is all he gets, what an absolute joke.
I can’t imagine that anyone would think that 18 months is an acceptable punishment for what he did to three children. Now only 5 years. FIve years is not enough for traumatizing a child especially since this was not his first time. How many times does he need to do something before he is truly punished? Many people have been assaulted as children and do not repeat it or use it as excuse to go out and hurt others. The only regret he has is that he was caught!
Too bad Justice Bychok wasn’t the presiding Judge.
The justice system, meaning far too many sappy judges, has far too little concern for the protection of communities. One chance is already enough. Remember if you may the biblical saying that leopards don’t change their spots.
He picked up his 14 year old victim at Joamie School?? Joamie is an Elementary School … grades K – 5…. hardly think it was Joamie … more like Aqsarniit Middle School, grades 6 – 8. Five years an inadequate length of time, especially with prior conviction!