A 26-year old man who is a "designated pedophile" received a six-month jail sentence, two concurrent 12-month conditional jail sentences, and three year's probation in territorial court last Friday, after pleading guilty to three charges of sexual assault.

Shane Papineau was charged with two counts of sexual assault last June after two young girls complained to their families that Papineau had touched them inappropriately, Crown counsel David McWhinnie said in his submission.

When interviewed, the girls described Papineau's actions as "nasty" and "really gross." One of the girls said the incident made her feel "sad" and the other said it made her feel "not good," said McWhinnie.

When RCMP officers interviewed Papineau upon his arrest in June 2007, Papineau made an "in-depth, detailed confession," defence lawyer Lynn McDiarmid said in her submission.

Papineau said he had experienced pedophilic urges for years and had finally succumbed to them, court heard.

Judge Karen Ruddy said in her decision that Papineau has experienced "thoughts, urges, and fantasies over a long period of time, which he knows are wrong and struggles not to act upon."

Papineau was in custody for a period of 34 days before he was released on bail last July 24, said McWhinnie.

The third charge was laid after a third girl came forward in November 2007, and said Papineau had touched her inappropriately and asked her to touch his genitals.

Papineau served another 40 days in custody after this incident "came to light," said McWhinnie, and he was remanded again on Feb. 19, 2008.

He has been in custody ever since.

McWhinnie said Papineau's pedophilic urges are a "serious red flag for the court."

He added that "there is certainly a history of inappropriate conduct" in the case, although Papineau's past criminal record does not include any related offences.

"The temptation, of course, is to simply lock him up and throw away the key," said McWhinnie, who called Papineau a threat to the community.

McWhinnie asked for six months' custody, a one-year conditional sentence, and three year's probation in his submission, to allow "maximum opportunity to get (Papineau) the counselling and help he quite evidently needs."

Three years are the maximum probational term a court can impose.

McDiarmid said in her submission that the nature of the charges are "on the lower end of seriousness for this type of offence" because the incident occurred once, instead of over a prolonged period of time.

McDiarmid added that the "inappropriate touching" occurred through clothing.

McDiarmid said Papineau has shown a "significant amount of remorse," is currently taking anti-depressants, and has sought help from psychologists and sex offender treatment programs.

Papineau's guilty plea also saved the young complainants from having to testify, McDiarmid noted.

In her decision, Ruddy noted that Papineau has "a fairly limited (criminal) record," the most recent conviction being for spousal assault in 2005.

"He has fully accepted responsibility and that is to his credit," said Ruddy.

She described Papineau as a "non-exclusive pedophile.

"He's got some issues he's going to have to figure out for life," she added.

Ruddy gave Papineau four months' credit for time already served, meaning he will spend another two months in jail.

Ruddy also imposed a 10-year firearms prohibition, a DNA order, and a non-contact condition with anyone under the age of 18.

"You have a long road ahead of you. You need to stay motivated," Ruddy told Papineau.

Papineau will also be listed on a sex offender registry for the next 10 years.