A former church and children’s charity volunteer is facing up to two years in prison for grooming a young teenage boy for sex.
Bernard Michael Macht pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the boy between Jan. 1, 2017 and Feb. 1, 2018, in Richmond by inviting the child into sexual contact with him on numerous occasions.
Former teacher, church and kids’ charity volunteer Bernard Macht pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a boy in his early teens over the course of a year. Photo via Linkedin.
Macht, who was 54 at the time of the offence, preyed on the boy for about a year after befriending his family two years ago through a community organization.
Richmond Provincial Court heard last week how married father-of-two Macht inserted himself into the boy’s life by picking him up from school, taking him swimming and on road trips.
Macht, who was fired as a Catholic school teacher in 1996 for showing inappropriate material to children, even arranged for the boy to stay overnight at his house in Richmond.
All the time, the teenager and his mom thought Macht, who provided the family with cellphones, just wanted to help them out and even described him as a “confidant” and “general nice guy.”
But it was behind closed doors and when he was alone with the boy that Macht’s true intentions became apparent.
Crown counsel Michelle Peacock told the court how the young teen considered Macht, now a software sales director, a “father-figure” in his life.
But, according to the Crown, in all the time Macht knew the boy and his family, he didn’t once introduce the child to his wife, telling the kid that they needed “to keep our relationship secret.”
“Mr. Macht told the boy he was sexually attracted to him,” Peacock told the court about one encounter in Macht’s car.
“At that moment, he told the boy he could leave the car if he was uncomfortable, but the boy said it was in the middle of a highway, so he didn’t have much of an option but to stay.”
On other occasions, Macht “made lewd comments about masturbation, pornography and erections and told (the boy) masturbation was good for him,” added Peacock.
“He told the boy that he used to help his friends masturbate when he was young.”
While at the swimming pool, Macht got undressed in front of the boy and complimented him on his physique, suggesting he undress also.
According to Peacock, Macht repeatedly offered to buy the kid Speedos (tight swimming costume) and also suggested going skinny-dipping.
Each and every time, however, the teenager refused Macht’s suggestions and advances.
On one night at Macht’s house, the court heard how the boy was staying over and Macht came to his bed naked and told a story about how his uncle sexually abused him as a child while in the shower.
Describing the incident to the boy, Macht suggested they go to the shower, also. Again, the boy refused.
“(Macht) became more and more explicit in his language and his requests to perform sex acts on the boy. The boy repeatedly refused the requests,” said Peacock.
The boy’s mother sobbed in court as she listened to the abuse of her son being detailed.
Other incidents over the year included Macht groping the boy in a lake, rubbing himself against the boy while naked in his house and telling him to delete the texts from him and not to tell his mom.
In January, 2018, the court heard how the boy sent a text to his mom from his bedroom, saying he had something to tell her. The next morning, he and his mom went to the police.
He told the police that he had conflicting feelings as his family depended on Macht and “sometimes, he wouldn’t say anything and I thought maybe he had changed. But then he would just come out with stuff…I kept hoping he would change…I thought it was maybe a phase he was going through…his neighbours seemed to really respect him.”
The court also heard, through Macht’s lawyer, David Tarnow, how his client had a decorated past as a volunteer at church and in a number of children’s charities and organizations, such as: St. Vincent De Paul in Vancouver; St. Joseph the Worker in Richmond; Big Brothers and SOS Children’s Charity.
According to one of Macht’s character witnesses, he also used to work at a private boarding school, caring for children and flew to the UK, on his own vacation time, to look after his young nephews.
Peacock told the court that the Crown was seeking a one year jail term for Macht, followed by a three-year probation order, DNA order and ban from communicating with the boy and his family.
The minimum sentence is 90 days, with the maximum being two years.
While reading her emotionally-charged victim impact statement in court, the boy’s mother told how her family is “haunted and disgusted by this.”
She told how her son was “acting out” at school, being aggressive for no apparent reason and was skipping classes.
“I talked to Bernie for advice; he suggested it was bullying. I thought the trips with Bernie would help him,” she said, while fighting back tears.
“I didn’t know (Macht) was hiding my son from his wife. I feel betrayed on the deepest level. He abused my trust in the most disgusting and deceitful way. I’m grateful my son had the courage to speak up, otherwise, I’ve no doubt he would have continued this abuse.
“This was not an isolated moment, this was abuse over an extended period of time while in a position of complete trust. I would question children’s safety when this man is around. This man robbed my son of a year of his life.”
Referring to Macht’s pre-sentence background report, Peacock said Macht had told doctors he blamed his actions, in part, on his “previously repressed homosexuality” and that, now he’s openly gay, his danger to re-offend is reduced.
“Going after boys was safer for me, but not for the youth, of course,” Macht said to one doctor.
However, the same doctor said in the report that Macht “still needs to come to terms with his sexual arousal from young males.”
Peacock, however, said the Crown’s concern centres around the fact that Macht’s “grooming” was “protracted and calculated” and that he “took steps to insert himself into their lives when he knew they were vulnerable.
However, Peacock added, Macht, who had no criminal record, pleaded guilty early, negating the need for a trial and has shown willingness to seek treatment.
Macht’s lawyer, Tarnow, told the court of Macht and his family’s “deep regret, guilt and shock from his family for what has occurred.
“This is an outstanding individual who made a grave error. As soon as he was arrested, he said he wished to seek help and told me he wished to plead guilty at the earliest possible stage.
“He continues to receive strong support from his separated wife, friends, children and people in the community.”
Tarnow told how after Macht lost his teaching job in 1996, he made a career in software sales that are now global
“There are 70 people in the company. If he was to be jailed for more than 90 days, he will lose his position,” said Tarnow.
Tarnow then asked Judge Jennifer Oulton if one of Macht’s character witnesses could speak, provoking a shake of the head and stare to the gallery from the boy’s mom.
“I think I’d rather just read his letter,” Judge Oulton told Tarnow.
While summarizing Macht’s numerous character references, Tarnow selected comments from his client’s supporters such as his abuse being a “terrible mistake…during a weak moment in his life.”
Tarnow is asking the court to impose the minimum 90-day sentence on Macht, citing his client’s need to provide for his estranged wife and adult daughter.
Judge Oulton deferred sentence on Macht until Oct. 26.The Richmond News reached out to both St. Vincent De Paul and St. Joseph the Worker churches.
St. Joseph the Worker said that Macht was never registered as a volunteer or teacher with them.
St. Vincent has yet to respond to the News’ request for comment.
On Macht’s LinkedIn profile, he lists being the co-coordinator, from December 2010-present, for St. Vincent De Paul’s Christmas Hamper Campaign.
The BC Teachers Council, which oversees teacher discipline, said Macht had his teaching certificate cancelled for “disciplinary reasons” in 1996 by the now defunct BC Teacher’s College for disciplinary reasons.
The college, the council told the News, chose not to publish the case at the time.
