Horne’s sentencing appeal rejected

Convicted sex offender Ed Horne’s appeal to have his five-year sentence reduced was dismissed by the Nunavut Court of Appeal on May 23.

The former teacher was sentenced on Sept. 7, 2000, for 20 counts of sex-related assaults against school-aged children dating back to the 1970s and early 1980s in Sanikiluaq, Cape Dorset and Kimmirut.

Horne’s lawyer, Yellowknife-based James Brydon, argued for a lesser sentence, given the time Horne served for previous charges, as well as his time spent in custody.

Three appeals judges unanimously rejected the application.

Horne’s sentencing has long been a source of controversy. The hamlet of Sanikiluaq issued a statement back in September 2000 saying the sentence was not long enough.

However, the Crown did not launch an appeal.