A man who pleaded guilty to several child sex offences, including ones that allegedly took place in Surrey and Delta, has lost a bid to withdraw those pleas.
Ibata Hexamer pleaded guilty to six charges in 2012 – three counts of sexual assault with a weapon, one of sexual assault and two of unlawful confinement in connection to offences involving underage girls. He initially faced 23 charges.
The assaults allegedly took place in Surrey in 2009, North Delta in 2007 and Vancouver in 1995 and involved girls aged six to 14. His plea agreement called for him to receive a 15-year prison sentence.
Then in June of last year, Hexamer indicated he wanted to withdraw his guilty pleas, arguing his five lawyers – all of whom he fired – mishandled his case. He claimed the Crown "engaged in trickery and treachery" and contravened the plea deal by applying for him to be assessed for dangerous offender status. (In Canada, a person designated a dangerous offender may be jailed indefinitely to protect the public).
In a ruling Friday (Jan. 30) in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, a judge denied Hexamer's request, quashing his bid to withdraw the guilty pleas.
His next court appearance is scheduled for March 9.