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Alberni man nets 45 days for accessing child porn

A Port Alberni man has been sentenced to 45 days in jail and two years probation for accessing child pornography online.

A provincial court judge has sentenced a Port Alberni man to 45 days in jail and two years’ probation for accessing child pornography online.

Nelson Keitlah, 29, pleaded guilty to the offense in July and was sentenced by Judge J. MacCarthy on Wednesday, provincial prosecutor Christina Proteau said.

Keitlah is to take sex offender treatment in prison and counselling afterward. He’s also required to register as a sex offender for 10 years and provide a sample of his DNA to officials.

Further requirements MacCarthy netted out include not being near parks, swimming areas or daycare centres. Keitlah is not to be in any position of trust involving children under age 16. And he’s not to communicate via computer with anyone under age 16.

Keitlah has no prior criminal record and he showed remorse for his actions, Proteau said. Despite this, a mandatory 45 days has to be served under the charge, she added.

Keitlah was also originally charged with possession and importing and distribution of child pornography. But he pleaded guilty to accessing and the Crown stayed on the other two charges, Proteau said.

The offences occurred between January and May 2010.

Keitlah had been under surveillance by the Police Integrated Child Exploitation Unit. They became aware of his activities when they traced downloaded child porn to Keitlah’s IP address.

The unit notified local RCMP, who subsequently raided Keitlah’s residence and seized his laptop computer and a DVD. They found two still images of child porn as well as eight videos depicting child porn ranging in length from three minutes to 16 minutes.

reporter@albernivalleynews.com