Assessment complete for man guilty of sex assault
Sentencing hearing scheduled
Asentencing hearing has finally been scheduled for a 21-year-old man found guilty earlier this year of sexually assaulting a woman and cutting her throat over three years ago.
The hearing was given the green light Wednesday in Lethbridge youth court after lawyers confirmed they had, after months of waiting, finally received a mental assessment for the accused.
The assessment, completed under the Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program, may ultimately be used to determine whether the accused is sentenced as a youth or adult.
Although the assessment is completed, the Crown and defence have not received a subsequent report and treatment plan, which the judge can use to help determine an appropriate sentence. The Crown previously notified court she intends to apply to have the accused sentenced as an adult, but she noted following Wednesday’s brief hearing that she is also waiting for the report before making a final determination.
The IRCS program provides the delivery of specialized therapeutic programs and services for youth with mental health needs who are convicted of a serious violent offence.
The accused, who can’t be identified under a court-ordered publication ban because he was only 17 at the time of the offences, is set to have his sentencing hearing Dec. 20.
The accused was found guilty last March of break and enter and sexual assault, unlawful confinement, aggravated sexual assault, and two counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
The man turned 18 three days after he sexually assaulted a woman in her home, then dragged her outside where he assaulted her again before slitting her throat with a knife taken from the home.
Sentencing has been adjourned several times since he was found guilty of the charges, but not guilty of one count of attempted murder in the violent attack in the early morning hours of May 3, 2015. The delay has been largely necessary to allow time for the preparation of the assessment.