FORT ST. JOHN -- The sentencing hearing for a Fort St. John veterinarian charged with sexual assault has resumed this week at the Fort St. John Law Courts
The sentencing hearing for Justin Sewell initially began last July however the defence initiated an adjournment four days into the hearing.
Sewell was in court Monday giving testimony. The hearing should take all week with a sentence expected to be delivered on Friday.
Fort St. John RCMP announced the charges against the local veterinarian, including sexual assault, overcoming resistance to commission of the offence and two counts of voyeurism in 2022.
The Crown is expected to ask for federal prison time for Sewell of 2 to 3 years on the low end and 4 to 5 years on the high end. The defence is expected to ask the court that there be no form of incarceration or penalty.
RCMP said the incident occurred in 2007 in Charlie Lake. Police began investigating the case after they were made aware of the allegations in 2019.
Sewell pled guilty to one count of sexual assault and two counts of voyeurism. According to court documents, he allegedly sexually assaulted the victim and secretly observed/ recorded nudity or sexual activity in a private place.
The judge in the case imposed two publication bans to prevent the victim and witnesses from being identified.
