Editor’s note: This story contains details of a sexual offence involving a minor.
A sentencing decision has been reserved for a former junior hockey player convicted of sexual interference involving a 14-year-old girl. Liam Noble of Kelowna, now 25, appeared in Penticton provincial court Monday, where Justice Lynett Jung said she requires additional time to review submissions from Crown and defence before imposing sentence. A date for the ruling will be set Thursday.
Noble was 20 when he met the complainant through social media and had consensual, unprotected sex with her the same night. The incident occurred more than five years ago. Crown counsel Anne Lerchs is seeking a three-year penitentiary term, arguing the offence requires a strong denunciatory sentence.
Defence lawyer Cory Armour has asked for a conditional sentence of two years less a day to be served in the community, followed by three years of probation with strict conditions.
Following submissions Monday, Noble stood and apologized directly to the complainant, now 19. “I’m so sorry,” he said, wiping away tears. He told the court he has reflected on his actions and accepts responsibility.
He also referenced mental health struggles following his arrest and conviction. Jung noted Noble has participated in counselling and encouraged him to continue doing so regardless of the sentence imposed.
At trial, the complainant testified she told Noble during online conversations that she was about to begin Grade 10. Noble testified he believed she was 17 based on other information she provided and comments from a friend. In convicting Noble, the judge ruled he failed to take reasonable steps to determine the girl’s age, describing his approach as “cavalier.”
“He simply put age out of his mind,” Jung said in her earlier decision.
The complainant delivered a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing, describing ongoing emotional harm. She said she missed significant school, nearly did not graduate and lost friendships as a result of the incident. Her parents incurred financial costs for counselling and medication.
“The emotional damage you’ve had on my life is enough to destroy someone,” she told the court. Lerchs said sexual offences against children must attract significant penalties, noting Supreme Court of Canada direction on denunciation and deterrence. She argued the offence caused serious emotional and psychological harm. Armour said the court must consider all available sanctions before imposing incarceration, particularly for a first-time offender.
He described the offence as a single incident and said Noble remains remorseful, although he maintains he believed the complainant was 17.
“He did not know he was committing a crime,” Armour said. Noble, originally from Dawson Creek, previously played junior hockey in Penticton and later worked as an assistant coach in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. In her verdict, Jung found the complainant to be credible and consistent, ruling Noble’s efforts to determine her age “fell well short” of what was legally required.
Originally from Dawson Creek, Noble spent several years in Penticton, first playing for the Okanagan Hockey Academy, before joining the Penticton Vees, where he played 45 games during parts of the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons in the British Columbia Hockey League.
Noble later joined the Nelson Leafs in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and excelled at the KIJHL level.
He was hired later as an assistant coach with the KIJHL’s Princeton Posse in 2022.
