A former missionary/pastor from Abbotsford has been convicted in relation to an incident in which he insisted a 12-year-old boy come with him so he could buy him some new shoes.
Patrick Marini, 71, was found guilty in Abbotsford provincial court of attempting to entice a child away from his parent, but was acquitted of an additional charge of attempted kidnapping.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
The incident took place on June 25, 2013 at Clearbrook Library on George Ferguson Way.
During Marini's trial, the court heard that the victim had been dropped off there by his mother while she ran some errands. He was sitting on a couch reading some books when he was approached by Marini.
Marini told the boy that his shoes looked worn, and he asked him to come with him to buy some new ones.
The boy testified that Marini made the request about three times, but walked away when the boy insisted that his shoes were fine.
A woman who witnessed the interaction reported the matter to library staff, who identified Marini from his library card and then called police. Marini was arrested and charged.
Marini was previously charged – in March 2012 – with sexual offences against a 15-year-old Abbotsford boy and pleaded guilty two months later to sexual interference, receiving a conditional sentence (house arrest).
Marini has also been charged with breaching his conditions in the latest incident, and next appears in court on Feb. 5 on that matter.
His conditions included that he not have contact with anyone 16 years and under.
An online profile formerly described Marini as a missionary/pastor who has ministered in Canada, the U.S., India, Africa and Europe. He previously lived in Ontario and Saskatchewan.