B.C. man gets 22 years in jail for historical sex crimes on Vancouver Island

PORT ALBERNI, Vancouver Island – A man named Shaun Pater has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for committing multiple sex crimes. The offenses include sexual interference against a person under the age of 14, two counts of sexual interference against persons under 16, and one count of sexual assault. Police on the island say these "historical" crimes took place over several years and required a great deal of investigative skill to bring to trial.

The Port Alberni RCMP expressed gratitude to victims and witnesses for their bravery, as their involvement led to the convictions that could provide some measure of closure. Information about the identity of the victims and witnesses is protected by a publication ban. This report, provided by The Canadian Press, was initially published on August 20, 2026.