Convicted youth avoids jail time

A youth convicted in two sexual assaults in the Trail and Castlegar areas will not serve jail time.

He has been given a six-month deferred sentence, followed by 18-months of supervision.

The two guilty pleas are from separate incidents.

Judge Craig Sicotte admonished the accused for “blackmailing” the first victim into an unwanted encounter after both had been drinking.

The second incident involved another teenage girl who was slapped and choked.

Sicotte said she didn’t consent to sexual violence and called both classic victims, stating the accused took advantage of vulnerable young women.

While accepting the joint recommendations for sentencing from the prosecution and defense, Sicotte told the accused he is fortunate to have avoided a jail term, something that was likely had the case gone to trial.

The supervision order includes no contact with the victims and the completion of any treatment or counselling ordered by his supervisor.

He must also provide a DNA sample.

Editor’s note: The convicted person in this case has not been named in order to protect the identity of the minor victim, in accordance with Canadian law, including provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act and related publication bans. Certain details have also been withheld to avoid identifying the victim and to limit the publication of graphic or distressing information.


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Drew Wilson
Drew Wilson
Drew brings more than four decades of experience to the Kootenay newsroom. His career has taken him across Ontario, the Northwest Territories and B.C. Drew combines his love of radio and community with his passion for sports.

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