A Winnipeg senior convicted of repeatedly molesting a neighbour's 13-year-old son has been sentenced to 18 months in jail.

The 67-year-old former wrestler and retired city employee cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim.

Justice Karen Simonsen rejected the man's request he be allowed to serve a conditional sentence in the community.

"I am not satisfied a conditional sentence would be appropriate," Simonsen said. "This is particularly so when the accused is retired and at home doing chores. To place him under house arrest would do little to alter his lifestyle."

Court heard the man molested the boy up to 50 times in his garage in the summer of 1997.

Simonsen said the man's actions were "reprehensible" and "not the result of a momentary lapse."

NO EVIDENCE

The man's lawyer argued there was no evidence his client was a sexual predator and that he was a low risk to re-offend.

Court heard the man was forced into early retirement in 2005 after complaints he was sexually harassing co-workers.

Simonsen ordered the man's name be included on the national sex offenders registry for 20 years and that he not be allowed to attend parks, pools, playgrounds or any other place children gather for the next 10 years.

dean.pritchard@sunmedia.ca