Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski
A historic sex assault by a Grandmother’s Bay man has netted him a three-year penitentiary sentence.
Last week, Leslie Charles was sentenced for offences against a minor that date back between 2004 and 2008.
This comes after a June trial in Prince Albert’s Court of Queen’s Bench where he was found guilty of sexual interference and sexual assault.
His victim’s identity is protected by a publication ban.
The Crown had sought a three to four year sentence, and Crown prosecutor Ruth Fafard said she is satisfied with what Justice R.S. Smith handed down.
“(That ruling) recognizes the seriousness and the gravity of these types of offences. And it also recognizes the devastating effect and negative consequences of these offences on our community,” hse said.
At trial, Fafard made an application to the court that granted the victim leave to testify from outside the courtroom by video-link.
“It’s often used in sexual offences such as what we see here. It’s to help the victim give a full and candid account if they have some fear,” she said.
Fafard said she considers the victim to be a courageous person.
“The victim’s conduct was very brave and courageous. The victim sat through many, many hours of difficult and often upsetting questioning and that victim is to be commended for their perseverance through all this,” she said.
Charles will also be subject to no contact orders: the first is to not have contact with his victim while serving his sentence, and the second is to have no contact with children under the age of 14.
He is also being added to the sex offender information registry.