PETERBOROUGH, May 20, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – An Ontario Christian man who spanked his eight-year-old son on the buttocks with a belt but leaving no marks was sentenced to one year probation last week. One Canadian Press (CP) report indicated that “While on probation, the man is not allowed contact with his four children,” however, LifeSite clarified with his lawyer that the man would be allowed contact with his children since the condition of no contact was waived by the man’s wife. The man, a member of Victory Baptist Church in Peterborough, argued that the method of discipline was consistent with his Biblically-based religious beliefs. Jim Hauraney, the man’s lawyer noted that the man is a loving father and noted the similarity of the case to that of the Aylmer family whose seven children were apprehended by the children’s welfare workers in similar circumstances. Hauraney told LifeSite that the man pleaded guilty to assault with a weapon “so as not to put his kids through that.” Crown lawyer Steve Byrne told CP it was a “difficult” case. “It’s a case where church and state start butting heads,” he said.
See related LifeSite coverage: CANADA SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CASE AGAINST SPANKING THIS JUNE https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/may/03052001.html