Former Pitt Meadows councillor David Murray sentenced to 9 months for sex assault

A former Pitt Meadows city councillor has been sentenced to nine months in jailfor sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl nearly 25 years ago.

David Murray was convicted of sexual assaulton Oct. 25. He resigned four days later amid pressure from the public andseveral colleagues.

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Murray's sentence includes three years of probation after his release from jail.

The sexual assault, which took place nearly 25 years ago, involved a 14-year-old whose identity is protected by a publication ban. Murray would have been in his 30s at the time.

Court documents say the incidents took place between January and December 1992.

A charge of sexual interference was previously stayed by the Crown, and prosecutors had called for a custodial sentence of nine to 12 months.

Public pressure

Murray's case has raised questions as to what city councillorscan do to oust a colleague for committing a crime.

The short answer, according to legal experts, isthat they can't do anything.

Lawyer Reece Harding told CBClast fall that local governments can't disqualify an elected official from council over a criminal conviction.

Criminalswere forbidden from holding public office in the '70s and '80s, but that prohibition was removed, Hardingsaid, likely over fears that it was unconstitutional.

"There are certain provisions in the[B.C. Community] Charterthat specifically set out where elected officials can be disqualified from office," he said, listing concerns like conflict of interest, failing to attend meetings or not taking an oath of office. "But having a criminal record is not one of them."

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In light of Murray's case, Pitt Meadows Mayor John Becker hassaid heand his remaining councillorswilladdress what they call a gap in thecharterthatdictates the rules for municipal governance.

The provincial government said it would also look at giving cities new options to handle criminally-convicted councillors.

"What happened was not OK," Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson said in October.

Mayor Beckersaid he hopedMurray's resignation would bring a measure of closure tothe victim.