BC man appeals sex crime sentence with lawyer

A British Columbia man convicted of child sex crimes will receive a court-appointed lawyer to appeal his 12-year prison sentence, but not his guilty verdicts. The appeal court found no realistic chance of overturning the convictions. Preston Cory Dickins was found guilty in 2023 of multiple offenses, including sexual assault and child pornography, involving a young girl he was babysitting. The court described the crimes as "horrific" and involving "hundreds of acts of sexual violence." Dickins's appeal will focus on his sentence, arguing that mitigating factors were not properly considered. The court noted the victim's lasting trauma and the disturbing nature of the abuse.