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Crown appeals James sentence

The Crown is appealing the two-year sentence handed down to disgraced hockey coach Graham James for child sexual assault.

James, 59, was sentenced after pleading guilty to systematically sexually abusing former NHL star Theoren Fleury and Todd Holt, Fleury’s younger cousin, when he coached them as teenagers in junior hockey during the 1980s and early 1990s.

The Crown wanted a six-year sentence while the defence asked for a conditional sentence with no jail time.

In a notice of appeal filed today, the province says the judge erred in her approach to the sentencing, over-emphasized the significance of prior sentences for similar offences and erred in assessing the "totality principle."

That principle holds that jail time for multiple offences must still be fair and reasonable when added together.

James’ sentence sparked outrage from many, including his victims.

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