Five years in jail for Kentville sex offender

A man who broke into three Kentville homes in August looking to commit sexual offences against sleeping women has been sentenced to five years in prison.

George Brenan Alexander Shafie Smith, 24, who also goes by the last name Milne, sexually assaulted a woman in one home but was scared away in the other two without being able to commit the assaults.

When Kentville police picked Mr. Smith up for questioning, he admitted his involvement in all three attacks. He had broken in by opening windows and cutting the screens.

"These are very serious offences and cause for significant concern in the community," Judge Claudine MacDonald told Mr. Smith on Tuesday in Kentville provincial court at his sentencing.

The sentence was a joint recommendation from defence lawyer Brian Vardigans and Crown attorney Ingrid Brodie after Mr. Smith pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and two of break and enter with the intent to commit a sexual offence.

He must also provide a sample of his DNA, has been banned from owning firearms for life and must register with the federal sex offender registry.