The day before he will learn how long he will be jailed, 39-year-old Wade Stan addressed the court. Stene pleaded guilty in February to kidnapping, restraining and sexually assaulting an eight-year-old Edmonton girl, as well as unlawfully soliciting a person under 16 to touch his body in March 2020. The child was so frightened the court heard that he thought the stranger was going to eat and kill him. Stene spoke to the girl’s family on Tuesday. In his speech he apologized several times. READ MORE: Child abduction and sexual assault survivor’s family shares emotional trauma at sentencing hearing “I honestly never intended for any of this to happen and I’m really sorry for what happened – I’m deeply and sincerely sorry.” Story continues below ad He went on to talk about remorse – a contentious point on which the Crown and defense disagree, specifically whether it should be considered a mitigating factor in sentencing. “People in court tried to say that I only felt remorse after the fact, but the truth is that I felt remorse during the act. It’s what made me stop whatever evil was holding me back from doing what I was doing. “He made me take her near your house so she could get back to you safely,” Stan said. But the Crown disputed that immediate remorse, noting that Sten kept the child’s underwear, kept them in an urn and took a lewd photo with them the next day. He also denied any involvement in the crime when questioned later by police. READ MORE: Edmonton man pleads guilty to kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old girl The Crown is seeking a 20-year sentence, while the defense says 10 would be more appropriate. The two parties differ on a few key points, including whether or not the crime was premeditated. Trending Stories
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Prosecutor Keith Nicholls says the fact Stene was wearing a respirator when he grabbed the child and already had the back seats in his vehicle down, a white blanket draped over it and duct tape ready to bind the child with a rape kit at the ready. Story continues below ad Defense lawyer Mark Jordan initially said the mask was used because it was a pandemic and his client was health conscious. But when the judge pointed out that no one was wearing masks in March 2020, he then said it was a mask used by Stene at work around chemicals. Nicholls pointed out that Stene removed his mask during the actual attack. Jordan also explained the location of the white blanket, duct tape and seat, saying his client had moved several boxes recently, using the tape to seal them. READ MORE: Man charged with kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old girl in west Edmonton Another point of contention is whether Stene’s sentence should be reduced — and if so, to what extent — because of vigils held outside his home after he was released on bail in the victim’s neighborhood. Stene said he and his mother were threatened, things were thrown at windows, a coffin was placed at the edge of the property and he was so fearful for his safety he asked to be taken back to prison. In his final words to the victim’s family on Tuesday, Stene asked for forgiveness. “I hope one day, not now, but one day down the road you might be able to forgive what I did to you, your family and your daughter. I’m sorry,” he said. Story continues below ad 1:43 Edmonton man pleads guilty to kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old girl Edmonton man pleads guilty to kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old girl – February 4, 2022 In response to his speech, the victim’s family sent a statement to Global News. “It was incredibly difficult to hear him speak, to see him look us in the eye and say he was remorseful during the ‘deed’… “True regrets accept appropriate consequences.” The statement continued: “If Wade Stene gets the sentence he is seeking, his victim will be 16 years old when he is released from prison. “The court has a responsibility to make the sexual assault of a child a very serious crime with very serious consequences. Anything less would be an insult to all we’ve been through. “As for forgiveness, we believe it’s possible, but we don’t feel it right now.” Story continues below ad The judge is due to issue her decision on Wednesday afternoon. © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
