A Saanich man who had been under police surveillance for a month last spring was found guilty of sex-related charges.
Jack Thomas Amblerwill serve a three-year suspended sentence after being guilty of one count of committing indecent acts in a public place and one count of possession of stolen property under $5,000.
Saanich and Victoria police spent a month investigating Ambler after receiving complaints in mid-June of lewd behaviour in Beacon Hill Park, across from South Park elementary school. Police later arrested the 51-year-old in Mount Douglas Park after observing him committing an indecent act in his car while allegedly watching children at a summer camp.
The possession of stolen property charge stems from a handicap parking pass found in his vehicle. Ambler was given a three-year suspended sentence over a three-year probation term.
“We have to allow that process to work unless there was some risk communicated to us, by a member of the public who has concerns, or by the bail supervisor,” said Saanich police Sgt. Dean Janzen, acknowledging that Ambler’s September breach of bail conditions were taken into consideration during the sentencing. “We’ll have to see if he’s going to comply with all of the conditions. If he doesn’t, then we’ll look at it.”
Conditions also include restriction from attending public schools, day cares, playgrounds, pool change rooms, or public washrooms where children under the age of 14 can reasonably be expected to be.
Ambler had 64 contacts with police prior to his July 21 arrest and subsequently breached his bail conditions Sept. 9, for entering the washroom at Pearkes rec centre.
nnorth@saanichnews.com