A man convicted of attempting to lure a child with Snapchat has been released after serving his full jail sentence while waiting for his case to conclude.
Peter Andrew Wehren, 33, was released on Wednesday, June 12, after he was sentenced to a total of 154 days in jail and a probation period of three years.
Wehren's sentencing hearing began on June 10 and resumed on June 12. He returned in person to Richmond Provincial Court to receive his sentence.
Wehren pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to lure a child under 16 years old using telecommunication and three counts of going to a public park in breach of his release conditions.
Although prosecution originally told the court Wehren had already spent 68 days in jail, the court was informed on Wednesday that a mistake was made in the calculations and Wehren had actually spent 102 days in jail.
Wehren was given a credit of 1.5 days per each day he spent in jail awaiting the conclusion of his case, making the total 153 days.
With the correct numbers in mind, prosecution corrected the parties' joint sentencing position from a 102-day jail sentence and a three-year probation to 153 days in jail plus one day and three years' probation.
Richmond Provincial Court Judge Rose Raven agreed with the joint submission.
Raven referred to Wehren's pre-sentence and psychological reports, noting he was found to be autistic with "some level of intellectual impairment" and suffered from anxiety and depression.
The reports also indicated he has "significant alcohol misuse issues" and recommended he receive treatment for alcoholism.
Wehren's probation conditions include no contact with the victim and witnesses, obeying a curfew between midnight and 6 a.m. and participating in any programs and treatments as directed by his probation officer.
He is also forbidden from contacting anyone under 16 years old, going to public parks and other areas where anyone under 16 years old will be present, using substances such as alcohol and using the internet to communicate with persons under 16 years old.
Further, Wehren is not allowed to enter into a new relationship with anyone until he has informed the probation officer of their identity.
Wehren will be registered as a sex offender for 20 years.
Judge surprised at lack of support for accused
During the sentencing, Raven was informed by the parties that, while there is a list of potential treatment centres that they have managed to compile, Wehren will have to contact them directly to arrange for intake.
Raven expressed her surprise at the fact that a person with mental incapacity is "still expected to go out and find this type of treatment that he requires and that he's willing to do and is necessary to do for his rehabilitation."
"I'm just surprised to hear he can't have any assistance or other people can't call for him," she said.
Man supplied alcohol, hung out with kids
Wehren had met a group of kids on a bus in Richmond in December 2023 and began a relationship in which he would buy alcohol for the young people and they would meet up in Steveston Park.
From Feb. 14 to 21, Wehren sent messages to a 14-year-old girl who was part of the group, telling her he had a crush on her and asked her to go shopping for women's underwear with him, among other things. The girl refused.
On Feb. 21, parents of some of the kids apprehended Wehren in the park after he invited the kids to meet up for drinks. Richmond RCMP was called to the scene and arrested Wehren.
He was released and arrested again three more times between February and March for returning to public parks in breach of his release conditions.
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