ATHABASCA — A conviction for sexual assault and one year of probation were handed down to a youth for his actions against another minor last year.
In Athabasca Court of Justice Nov. 4, a youth under the age of 18 pleaded guilty to a single count of sexual assault. The youth cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
As a result of the guilty plea, the youth was sentenced to 12 months of probation with conditions that include assessment, counselling, and treatment for sexual offending, as well as no contact and no-go orders for the victim, unless approved in advance by a probation officer.
The youth will also have to provide a DNA sample to RCMP and is subject to a two-year firearms prohibition.
On the afternoon of Dec. 4, 2023, the youth was found by a witness in a bedroom performing a non-consensual sexual act on a young girl.
Months later, on Feb. 16, 2024, the victim told an employee of a local counselling and support service about the offence, who in turn went to the police with the information.
The victim gave another statement to another support centre days later, and in March the witness to the offense gave a statement to the police. The same day, the youth attended an RCMP detachment, was arrested, gave a statement to police, and was released on an undertaking.
Crown prosecutor Matthew Kerr noted the youth has no previous criminal record, was cooperative with police, and took responsibility before charges were laid.
“He is saving the victim in this case and (the witness) from having to testify against him at a trial,” said Kerr. “It’s a strong case, but it would have been challenging for the civilian witnesses, I’m sure.”
Kerr did note the victim’s age and relationship to the youth were aggravating factors to consider in sentencing.
“This is a tough spot that you find yourself in,” said Heudes. “I accept that being here, you’ve already faced some negative effects; I can understand it has affected your family, and that affects you.
“You need to understand the fact that somebody was very vulnerable; just as your personal being is so sacred to you, it is to everybody, and you have to respect that.”
The resolution by way of guilty plea comes after attempts to move the case to restorative justice were unsuccessful.
