'I screwed up': Former Alberta Party candidate Terry Lo pleads guilty to child sex abuse

A former Alberta Party candidate who pleaded guilty Wednesday to child sex abuse charges says he "screwed up" when he initiated a sexual relationship with a Grade 9 student.

Terry Lo, 48, pleaded guilty to internetluring and sexual touching of a minor involving a girl who was 14-years-old in September2016, when he and the teen began chattingover a cellphone app.

"To be blunt, I screwed up," said Lo when given the opportunity to speak in court. "Beyond that screw up there's a young girl who I hurt."

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In a joint submission prepared by prosecutor Jenny Rees and defence lawyer Tonii Roulston,Justice Keith Yamauchiaccepted a 2-year sentence.

The details of the case were outlined in an agreed statement of facts.

On Sept. 13, 2016, Lo and the victim began chatting over WhisperApp. Hetold the girl whose identity is protected by a publication ban that he was 34-years-old and offered to buy her coolers.

The girl had never drank alcohol before and told him she wanted to numb her pain and depression.

Victim broke down after assault

The next day, the pair met up and the victim drank two coolers. Lo then began petting her and calling her "kitty" before he sexually assaulted her.

Even though the girl expressed her discomfort, Lo continued, so she "just laid there and let it happen."

Afterward, the teen had Lo drop her off at a public place so that he wouldn't know where she lived. She hid in the bushes until he drove off and then walked home crying.

Police were called after the girl then broke down, tellingher neighbour and mother what had happened.

Lo was a candidate for the Alberta Party in the riding of Calgary-Glenmore in the 2015 provincial election. He was forced to resign after posting an offensive joke on Facebook involving Jewish people and Catholics.