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BURNABY, B.C., Oct 22 (LSN) – Last week, B.C. Provincial Court Judge William Kitchen gave 52-year-old child pornographer William Bennest a slap on the wrist for his crimes. Kitchen was given a two-year suspended sentence. A former Burnaby school principal, Bennest made child pornography and recruited children from his school to participate. He was also charged with sexually touching a boy under age 14. A total of 43 videotapes, five audio cassettes, and assorted photos, posters and magazines were seized from the former principal’s home and school offices.

Lillian Fuller of Langley, a B.C. director of a Canadian anti-violence group, says the case has shattered public trust, and will prevent other victims from coming forward. “It fails to instill a deterrent to others like Bennest.” Bennest is now suing the district over the suspension of his salary a year ago.