The 62-year-old Dartmouth man who pleaded guilty to violating a publication ban related to the Lyle Howe sexual assault case has been fined $1,500 and has been sentenced to a year of probation.

David Sparks was charged last fall after he posted the name of the victim online in violation of a publication ban protecting her identity.

Howe's victim submitted a victim impact statement for Monday's sentencing. Her identity is still protected by a publication ban.

Judge Alanna Murphy referred to the statement, saying the woman took pains to protect her identity and this offence took that away from her.

Murphy said the woman comes from small town and breach of ban means people she hadn't told could find out about what happened to her.

The statement also said the victim didn't even tell her own mother details of the case.

"This is an offence that strikes in the heart of the administration of justice," Murphy said.

She also expressed worry that with social media this type of offence may become more commonplace.

"No putting the genie back in the bottle," she said.

Murphy said the maximum penalty for this offence is $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail.

The sentenced she handed to Sparks was a fine of $1,500 and $450 victim fine surcharge he has a year to pay.

Sparks was also given a year probation.

Sparks has been a vocal defender of Howe, a suspended Halifax lawyer who was sentenced last year to three years in prison but has appealed.

The Crown has argued Sparks should be sentenced to between seven and 15 days in jail, while the defence said he should instead serve a conditional sentence because he has no criminal record.