by P.J. Harston
Northern News Services

NNSL (NOV 20/96) - A prominent Yellowknife businessman has been ordered to stand trial on sexual assault and weapons charges.

Territorial court judge Michel Bourassa found Friday that evidence presented during last week's two-day preliminary hearing into the charges was sufficient to send the matter to trial.

The trial will be held in Supreme Court, but a date has yet to be scheduled.

Evidence presented at the preliminary hearing can not be published until the conclusion of a trial into the charges, by order of the court.

The 42-year-old man is charged with two counts of sexual assault, and one count each of pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, uttering threats to harm or cause death and forcible confinement.

Mounties laid the charges against the man in early July after receiving complaints about him from at least one individual.

Names or the identification of any complainants or alleged victims are protected by a court-ordered publication ban.

The charges involve incidents alleged to have occurred between 1983 and 1992.