Former Lethbridge cop who had sex with domestic violence victim pleads guilty to breach of trust

A retired Lethbridge police officer and former head of a victims' advocacy group pleaded guilty Tuesday to breach of trust, admitting to a sexual relationship with a client who'd sought his help as a domestic violence victim.

Bill Kaye, 65, was originally charged with sexual assault, criminal harassment and breach of trust by a public officer. The first two charges were withdrawn after his plea.

Following a joint sentencing recommendation, Justice Catherine Regier imposed a two-year conditional sentence order, meaning Kaye will be allowed to serve his sentence at home under conditions.

For the first year, Kaye will be under house arrest, followed by a curfew for the next 12 months. 

A publication ban protects the identity of Kaye's victim. In previous reporting, CBC News has called the woman Emma. 

Kaye met Emma in December 2017 when she was 24 and he was 59 years old. 

At the time, Kaye was the director of the Domestic Violence Action Team (DVAT) in Lethbridge after retiring from the Lethbridge Police Service following a 35-year career. 

Regier said that given Kaye's experiences with domestic violence survivors — as DVAT co-ordinator, in the police service's domestic violence unit, and in helping set up the local sexual assault centre — he had a "wealth of knowledge" regarding the vulnerabilities of victims. 

"Mr. Kaye should have known better," said Regier.

Emma was referred to DVAT by Lethbridge police as she attempted to navigate multiple court matters — seeking an emergency protection order and in her family court matters. 

"The complainant was a young woman, a single mother in diminished circumstances, who had experienced sexual, emotional and physical abuse through her lifetime," said prosecutor Photini Papadatou in her submissions on Tuesday.

Emma confided in Kaye about her past, including that she'd been sexually assaulted, "believing the more he knew, the more he could help her."

Kaye took those private disclosures and "exploited her vulnerabilities," said Papadatou.

Details of the crime come from an agreed statement of facts read aloud by Papadatou.