Article content

Despite describing himself as a victim, a man guilty of child pornography and sexually assaulting minors was handed a 12-year sentence Friday.

Part of that term includes a conviction for obstructing justice when Tanzirul Alam, through hundreds of phone calls while in the Calgary Remand Centre, convinced one of his victims to lie in court for him.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or 'I'm a victim,' insists man guilty of child pornography, sexual assault Back to video

Alam abused his three underage female victims and the justice system itself, said Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Sandy Park.

“He showed disdain for the judicial system, it is a very serious offence,” said Park, who also noted Alam’s sexual crimes spanned 3 1/2 years.

“The girls were in fact child victims … children must be protected from themselves because of their lack of maturity and foresight and adults must not be allowed to exploit those vulnerabilities.”

The man was convicted of 17 offences involving the girls, ages 14 and 15, including sexual assault, sexual contact with a person under 16, luring, making and transmitting child pornography and obstruction.

His victims were lured on the Internet, which soon led to sexual acts that were recorded on video, some of the images being shared on the Internet.

“The potential for a lifelong impact on the complainants is acknowledged by this court,” said Park.