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Saanich man pleads guilty to lewd behaviour

A Saanich man surveilled by police for a month last spring was found guilty of sex-related charges.

A Saanich man surveilled by police for a month last spring was found guilty of sex-related charges.

Jack Thomas Ambler pleaded guilty to one count of committing indecent acts in a public place and one count of possession of stolen property under $5,000.

Saanich and Victoria police spent a month investigating Ambler after receiving complaints in mid-June of lewd behaviour in Beacon Hill Park, across from South Park elementary school. Police later arrested the 51-year-old in Mount Douglas Park after observing him committing an indecent act in his car while watching children at a summer camp.

The possession of stolen property charge stems from a handicap parking pass found in his vehicle.

Ambler was given a three-year suspended sentence instead of a three-year probation. Conditions attached to the sentence include restrictions from public schools, day cares, playgrounds, pool change rooms, or public washrooms where children under the age of 14 can reasonably be expected to be.

Ambler had 64 contacts with police prior to his July 21 arrest and subsequently breached his bail conditions Sept. 9, after entering the washroom at Pearkes recreation centre.

nnorth@saanichnews.com