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Former Colwood pastor gets jail, probation for exploiting teen

A 34-year-old former youth pastor who had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl from his Colwood church was sentenced Thursday to four months in jail and two years of probation.
Ira Parmenter.jpg
Former youth pastor Ira Parmenter.

A 34-year-old former youth pastor who had a sexual relationship with a teenage girl from his Colwood church was sentenced Thursday to four months in jail and two years of probation.

Ira Parmenter, who has been living in Newfoundland, hung his head at times during the proceedings in Western Communities provincial court, particularly during a statement read by his victim.

Their 2007-08 relationship began when she was 16 and Parmenter was a married man of 28. The victim, now in her 20s, cannot be identified.

Parmenter pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation. An official from Colwood Pentecostal Church has previously said that Parmenter was properly vetted for any criminal record or other issues before he was hired.

The court heard that Parmenter and the victim began having sex when the victim was 17, and that sexual activity continued past her 18th birthday.

The charge against Parmenter stemmed from his position of authority and trust, said Crown prosecutor Christine Lowe.

She said he “groomed” the victim for some time before the sex started.

The victim said in her statement that she feels anger, guilt and humiliation about what happened when she was part of the youth group led by Parmenter.

“I suffer from severe depression and anxiety, which has affected every aspect of my life,” she said.

She called Parmenter “the epitome of pathetic” and a coward.

“How do you get up and preach the word of God when you are nothing but a hypocrite?” she asked.

The victim told Parmenter he should have admitted to himself that what he was doing with her was deeply wrong.

“You should have recognized your illness and gone to get yourself some help.”

She had a large group of family and friends supporting her in court, while Parmenter was accompanied by his wife and a number of other relatives and friends.

Parmenter and his wife reconciled after some time apart and continue to work on their marriage, said defence lawyer Jeremy Carr. He had asked for a 14-day sentence, the minimum allowed, while Lowe had called for a nine-month term. The maximum is 18 months.

Carr told Judge Michael Hubbard that Parmenter truly thought he was in love with the victim. He said the two had “a mutually shared togetherness,” and that Parmenter was not aware he was doing anything criminal.

“He gave up his friends, his family, his faith, his job, just so he could be with her,” Carr said.

He said Parmenter has since taken responsibility for what happened and is remorseful.

jwbell@timescolonist.com