An Orangeville senior citizen was sentenced in Superior Court Wednesday to 17 months in jail for his fifth conviction of sexual assault on young females.

Bruce Morrison, 75, was given double credit for six months of pre-trial custody served since his July 26, 2007, arrest, meaning he has five more months to spend in custody.

In passing sentence, Justice Emile Kruzick took into account Mr. Morrison's age, state of health, his guilty plea, his role in life as a father and grandfather, and the fact that his family has stood by him.

But he also considered four prior convictions between 1999 and 2006, all involving girls under the age of 18, as aggravating factors.

The current case involved fondling of a teenaged girl's breasts, over her clothing, and might not have been considered as one of the more serious cases. But the judge said he was obliged to deliver a sentence that would be harsher than previous ones, as a deterrent and a message that society does not tolerate such offences.

In addition to the jail time, Mr. Morrison will spend three years on probation, and must attend a rehabilitation course.

After his release, he is forbidden to be within 100 metres of any location where the complainant or any member of her family are likely to be, and must not be in the company of persons under the age of 18 except in the company of another adult and with written permission from a probation officer.

He is also required to register as a sexual offender, and to provide a DNA sample and cannot possess firearms for the rest of his life.

Prosecutor Eric Taylor indicated that any further occurrence by the man could lead to a dangerous or habitual offender application.

Mr. Morrison was represented by Orangeville lawyer Linda Lamb.