"In the pecking order, he's going to come lower than a slug"

Pedophile fears 'jail justice'

Convicted serial pedophile Paul Delorme's lawyer says his client faces the "death penalty" if he is sent to a maximum security penitentiary after being declared a dangerous offender yesterday.

"Of course he's in danger," said defence lawyer Daniel Brodsky after the decision was handed down in an Ottawa courtroom.

Delorme, who had been serving time in the maximum security ward at Penetanguishene Mental Health Centre, now faces a sentence of an "indeterminate period of time" at a federal maximum security facility.

Delorme pleaded guilty in 2001 to sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl in a Tim Horton's bathroom while on a supervised day trip from Brockville Psychiatric Hospital. He was 37 at the time.

Two hospital orderlies, who were responsible for supervising Delorme, were sharing a cigarette in the parking lot as the assault occurred inside.

Brodsky called that a "failure by community staff."

"(Delorme) needs maximum supervision, not maximum security," said Brodsky, who expressed fear his client would become an easy target in a penitentiary setting.

"In the pecking order, he's going to come lower than a slug,"
said Brodsky.

In 1989, Delorme was found not criminally responsible after sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in similar circumstances in an Ottawa community centre.

PERSONALITY DISORDER

An insanity plea was accepted in that case. Delorme has been institutionalized since then under supervision of the Ontario Review Board.

Delorme has been in and out of institutions since first being diagnosed with "reactive disorder" at age 4. In a submission to Justice Gerald Morin, Crown prosecutor Curt Flanagan contended Delorme "does not have a mental illness," but instead has a personality disorder.

Justice Morin was too ill to attend yesterday's dangerous offender decision, but a statement was read in court.

"(Delorme) overwhelmingly meets the criteria of a dangerous offender," read Justice Monique Metivier on behalf of Justice Morin.

Among the reasons cited for the decision, Justice Morin said Delorme poses "an extremely high risk to young female children."

The ORB's annual reviews have repeatedly concluded Delorme is a threat to society and high risk to reoffend.

Justice Morin's statement also said Delorme has made "no clinical progress" in his treatments, often refusing counselling and refusing to take drugs to control his sexual impulses.

"I'm extremely sorry for what I did to (the victim) and her family," said Delorme, dressed in a black jacket with large dark-rimmed glasses and a closely shaven head, feet bound in shackles. "I'm terrified of being sent to the pen and having the key thrown away."

Brodsky said he plans to appeal the decision.