Beardy’s man pleads guilty to sexual touching of underage girls

A man from the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual exploitation involving girls under the age of 16.

George Gamble, 25, entered the pleas on Tuesday in Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench. Through the pleas, he admitted touching five girls for a sexual purpose between August and June 2015 while being in a position of trust or authority. No details about the case were outlined during the brief appearance.

Gamble initially faced several

sexual interference, exploitation and assault charges following his arrest on April 5, 2016, but he pleaded guilty to an amended fivecount indictment.

At first, Gamble said he didn’t understand the charges, but he pleaded guilty once they were explained by his lawyer, Robert Dick, who later told the judge his client has “significant intellectual challenges.”

Dick requested a pre-sentence report, a Gladue report (which canvasses the effects of colonialization on Indigenous offenders) and a psychiatric assessment. He also indicated he will argue that the mandatory minimum sentence is unconstitutional in this case because it would amount to “cruel and unusual punishment.”

The mandatory minimum sentence for sexual exploitation is one year. The case was adjourned until November for further discussion about the reports. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.