Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Dec 12/01) - A Rankin Inlet man has been banned from the community for the next four years after pleading guilty to sexual assault and sexual assault with a weapon.

Charles Morin, 62, was charged following an incident during the early morning hours of Nov. 10.

In pleading guilty in Rankin Inlet this past Thursday, Morin admitted spraying one victim in the face with pepper spray and trying to force another to perform oral sex.

Justice Renee Foisy of the Nunavut Court of Justice imposed a one-year conditional sentence on Morin, during which time he will live with his sister in Montreal.

Morin will then be placed on three years probation when his conditional sentence expires.

The names of the victims are protected by a publication ban.

RCMP Const. Bob Hodyr says the terms of the sentence were worked out between the Crown and Morin's lawyer.

"These types of stipulations, where a person is prohibited from returning to the community even for a visit, aren't all that uncommon," says Hodyr.

"It depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident and, in this case, being banned from the community for the duration of his sentence was something all parties agreed to."

Crime rate rising

A wave of break and enters and vandalism attacks have struck Rankin so farthis month.

The Kativiq General Store was broken into by thieves twice during the first week of December.

The culprits made off with about $4,000 from the store on Dec. 1. The store was hit again on Dec. 6.

Thieves also broke into the Kissarvik Co-op during the evening of Dec. 4 and struck at Tittaq Office Supplies the night of Dec. 6.

Vandals broke into the arena on Dec. 6, setting off fire extinguishers and painting graffiti on the walls.

RCMP Const. Bob Hodyro says the incidents are still under investigation.

"We're looking for the public's help in apprehending the individual(s) responsible for these actions. Any information can be forwarded to the local detachment or by phoning Crime Stoppers."