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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - John Murray Melanson was labelled a dangerous offender in Supreme Court on July 4.

Convicted pedophile John Murray Melanson, seen here leaving the Yk Courthouse on April 27, was declared a dangerous offender in Supreme Court on July 4. - NNSL file photo

Justice Louise Charbonneau delivered the decision, sentencing Melanson, 48, to an indeterminate prison term for sexually assaulting two Hay River boys five years ago.

Known as "Fester" to Hay River residents, Melanson showed no emotion as Charbonneau recounted the disturbing facts of the sexual assaults.

In 2006, Melanson was working as a chef at a restaurant in Hay River where he became friends with a co-worker, the father of two boys who would become his victims. Melanson babysat the boys about four times. Then on Dec. 31, the co-worker confronted Melanson after discovering child pornography on Melanson's computer.

Melanson fled Hay River about a week later on Jan. 8, 2007. He was arrested by Hay River RCMP at a Toronto courtroom on Sept. 25, 2007, and has been in custody ever since.

Melanson admitted to police that after the two boys took a bath one evening, he tickled the boys as they lied naked on his bed. He proceeded to fondle and perform oral sex on the boys, ages six and seven at the time.

Melanson pleaded guilty on Feb. 8, 2010 to the sexual assaults and three breaches of probation, including a breach for possession of child pornography. The probation order stemmed from a 2006 conviction in Manitoba for property crimes as well as possession and distribution of child pornography.

Charbonneau described Melanson as intelligent and someone "good at conning people," indicative of his historical pattern of gaining the trust of parents, sexually assaulting their children and then fleeing the jurisdiction afterwards.

Originally from Saint John, N.B., Melanson currently has 56 convictions on his criminal record, including eight sexual offences.

Crown prosecutor Shannon Smallwood submitted all of the Crown's evidence as of April 27. Melanson's lawyer Thomas Boyd did not offer any evidence, nor did he have his client testify.

Charbonneau reiterated the testimony of Dr. Scott Woodside, a Toronto-based psychiatrist, who diagnosed Melanson with pedophilia and anti-social personality disorder. He said there was "modest optimism" that with intense supervision, an electronic ankle monitor and continuous dosages of the sex drive reduction medication Leuprolide for his entire life, Melanson could be managed in the community. But Charbonneau rejected this plan, especially the last two components on the grounds that electronic ankle monitors are not used in Canada and that, given his history of breaching court orders, there was no guarantee Melanson would take the medication.

She concluded there was a high risk Melanson would re-offend if released from custody.

With the exception of a few members of the media, the courtroom was empty on July 4.

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