A former chiropractor at a New Hamburg practice was sentenced Monday to 90 days of house arrest and 2 years of probation.
“This is a huge fall from grace,” Justice Colin Westman said in delivering the sentence.
Jason Hurd was arrested in June 2014, after a hidden camera was discovered inside the washroom of the Affinity Health Clinic.
He later pleaded guilty to a number of voyeurism-related offences.
In court, Hurd admitted to taking 220 photos and 18 videos of 20 people – including a nine-year-old girl.
Court heard that while some of the photos were taken in his office, and some of the victims were patients, the camera was discovered before any pictures were snapped in the washroom.
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, defence lawyer Bernard Cummins made mention of alleged sexual abuse Hurd underwent during his childhood.
“He’s struggled to come to grips with his identity and focus on what needs to change in his life,” Cummins said outside court.
“He needs closure, so that he can focus on his rehabilitation.”
The Crown had sought a 90-day jail sentence for Hurd.
Westman felt that wasn’t necessary, saying the 41-year-old had suffered “humiliation in front of colleagues, friends and family.”
A request to have the camera on Hurd’s cell phone deactivated was denied.
Hurd still faces a disciplinary hearing in front of the College of Chiropractors of Ontario – although according to his lawyer, he has “no intention” of continuing to practice.
