Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 25/98) - A Yellowknife schoolteacher and justice of the peace pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual assault in territorial court on Tuesday.

Vincent Clarence Dumond was charged by RCMP on Aug. 21, 1998.

Dumond is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, Sept. 29.

A publication ban has been imposed on any information which may lead to the identification of the complainant in the case. Dumond has been ordered by the court to have no contact with the complainant nor any member of the complainant's family.

Doctor Loretta Foley, superintendent of the Yellowknife Separate Education District No. 2, said Dumond has taught at Ecole St. Joseph School since September, 1993.

"Mr. Dumond is on leave with pay while an internal investigation is conducted as set out in the Education Act," said Foley.

The Crown announced its decision to proceed summarily on the matter during Dumond's court appearance on Tuesday.

In cases of sexual assault, the Crown may decide to seek a summary conviction or pursue the matter as an indictable offence.

If found guilty of an indictable offence, a person could face up to a maximum of 10 years in jail. A summary conviction carries with it a maximum sentence of 18 months.

Dumond is also a former principal of St. Patrick high.