Sexual offender sentenced to 18 years

A Surrey man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in B.C.'s Fraser Valley has been sentenced to 18 years in jail.

Brian Edward Abrosimo,44 , has been designated a long-term offender. (CBC)

The sentence handed down Friday exceeds the 15 to 17 years the Crown had requested and is much more than the eight-year maximum requested by the defence.

• FROM APRIL 21, 2006: Throw the book at sex offender, says Crown

But Surrey provincial court Judge Suzanne MacGregor told the court that Abrosimo's "heinous actions" deserve a lengthy sentence and said the message of denunciation must be clear.

She noted Abrosimo's criminal history is one of escalating violent offences over a 10-year period. She said that record, combined with his low intellect and addictions to drugs and sex, made it likely he would reoffend.

During the sentencing hearing earlier this year, a psychiatrist told the court that Abrosimo blames his actions on crystal meth abuse and doesn't take responsibility for what he did.

The Surrey man has also been convicted of two other sexual assaults involving adults. His name is being added to national sex offender registry.

• FROM JUNE 20, 2005: Guilty plea in child sex assault case

Abrosimo was driving his van when he ran down two girls an 11-year-old and a 15-year-old on a quiet road in Langley in the summer of 2004.

The older girl ended up in the ditch with a broken wrist.

Abrosimo grabbed the younger girl, pulling her into his van where he sexually assaulted her before releasing her an hour later in a Surrey field.