Sentencing in sex assault case adjourned to July 6

Sentencing for a Lethbridge man who has admitted breaking into a northside home and sexually assaulting a teenage girl has been delayed to allow more time for a mental health assessment.

Darral Gerard Courtoreille was scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday in Lethbridge provincial court, but it was adjourned to July 6 after the judge was told a psychological and risk assessment ordered in January had not been done.

Sentencing is set for July 6, although the judge ordered the matter be brought forward to speak to if the assessments are completed by June 23.

Courtoreille, 59, pleaded guilty Jan. 4 to one count of break and enter and commit sexual assault. Although facts of the offence have yet to be read in court, police reported in November that a man gained entry to the home through a basement door sometime between 3 and 4 a.m. Nov. 7 and found the 15year-old victim asleep in her bedroom. Police said the assailant took measures to prevent the girl from making noise and then sexually assaulted her.

A 911 call was made about 5:14 a.m. and police located and arrested a man matching the offender’s description shortly afterward. Police said the assault was random and the accused and victim were not known to one another.

Courtoreille, who was also charged with sexual interference, has a history of sex offences against girls under the age of 14, and police issued a warning to the public in 2005 following his release on an 18month sentence.

Judge Jerry LeGrandeur is waiting for the completion of the assessments and accompanying reports before deciding whether to accept Courtoreille’s guilty plea.