A Fort St. John veterinarian who was convicted of sexual assault faced a disciplinary hearing. The College of Veterinarians of BC held the hearing for Justin Sewell on Monday.
After submissions to a panel, Sewell was found guilty of unprofessional misconduct and breaching the college’s code of ethics
Sewell was sentenced to federal prison for 2 years and 9 months for sexual assault and voyeur related offences.
The panel heard Sewell added Ketamine and/or Valium to his victim’s drink. Once incapacitated he sexually assaulted her and then took photographs of her. Sewell testified in court he obtained the drugs from the Rivers Animal Hospital in Fort St. John.
The panel heard that the combination of alcohol and the sedative that Sewell administered had the possibility of being deadly to the victim.
The panel also heard that Sewell’s conduct was ‘shockingly unprofessional.’
Sewell’s lawyer told the panel his client agreed with all of the allegations made against him on Monday.
Sewell could lose his license or have it suspended as a result of the panel’s findings. The panel will now look to set a date for the penalty phase of the hearing.
Granted day parole
After the Supreme Court of Canada denied a request from Sewell to overturn his conviction, he was granted day parole from prison in April.
The Parole Board of Canada denied full parole to Sewell, but approved a temporary form of release under strict supervision.
In a written decision dated April 2, the board ruled that Sewell does not yet meet the threshold for full parole, citing ongoing concerns about his insight into his offences and his ability to manage long-term risk in the community.
However, the board granted Sewell six months of day parole, allowing him to reside at a community residential facility under close supervision.
The board found that a structured and closely monitored environment is necessary to protect the public while allowing Sewell to begin a gradual reintegration into society.
The day parole comes with a series of strict conditions. These include a complete prohibition on contact with the victims and their families, a ban on internet use and pornography, and mandatory participation in treatment programs addressing sexual offending behaviour.
The Parole Board stated that allowing Sewell to remain in a community residential facility provides the necessary oversight to manage risk while supporting rehabilitation.
Full parole was denied on the grounds that release to the broader community would not adequately protect public safety at this time.
The victim ‘trusted Sewell’
The victim is the sister of Sewell’s wife. She said she looked to Sewell as an older brother and trusted him.
During Sewell’s trial the court heard, in 2007 Sewell was alone in a Charlie Lake residence with the victim. He set up a camera in her bedroom and recorded her in private and also took photographs of her in private moments through her bedroom window.
A former employee of Sewell’s also disclosed that clinic staff found inappropriate photos on his work computer. Another former employee reported that, in June or July of 2010, she and two other staff members found photos on a work computer of Sewell having intercourse with a young woman.
A statement taken from a longtime friend indicated that around 2010, Sewell advised that he had set up a video camera in the victim’s bedroom and filmed her dressing and undressing.
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