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Court briefs
Charge laid after woman accosted
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Friday, September 20, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A 29-year-old Hay River man was charged with committing an indecent act earlier this week after he allegedly accosted a woman and her daughter outside Northern United Place on Aug. 31.
Arthur Martel is alleged to have approached Cheryl Fountain and her 12-year-old daughter as they were walking to their vehicle around 6 p.m. He is said to have yelled at the two and grabbed his crotch, then aggressively approached them.
Fountain said she feels lucky to have escaped without physical injury.
"I'm happy they found him and that it's going to go to court," she said.
"I hope more of these guys who are hurting women get caught."
RCMP have reported five allegations of violence against women to media since July 21. Martel is the first person charged in any of the cases.
A conviction for indecent acts carries a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment, according to the Criminal Code of Canada. Fountain said she's glad the RCMP picked Martel up, but she hopes the courts can rehabilitate men who are violent against women.
"I still think we need tougher punishments on men who sexually attack women, but I also think they need help," Fountain said.
Fountain said she was pleased with the community support after the incident, as well as the professionalism of the RCMP in their investigation.
However, she thinks there's still much to be done to make Yellowknife safer for women.
"It's not over yet," Fountain said.
Martel is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 29.
Downtown robbery
RCMP have a male suspect in custody after a robbery in front of the Gold Range bar on Tuesday afternoon.
Police say the suspect was known to the victim. They responded to the call at around 1:30 p.m. on 50 Street and arrested the suspect a short time afterwards.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Roxanne Hudym said charges against the man are "definitely" pending, but she can't release any names before charges are laid.
Alleged murderer in court
The man charged with murdering Yvonne Desjarlais last winter appeared in Yellowknife territorial court via video on Tuesday.
Desjarlais, 63, was found dead in a downtown alley on Dec. 30, 2012.
David Harrison, 28, was charged with her murder on July 12. He has been in custody since then. Harrison's case was adjourned to Nov. 26, where he'll appear via video again.
RCMP officer facing assault charges in court
A Yellowknife RCMP officer appeared in territorial court on Tuesday to face charges of assault.
Const. Cory Wallace is alleged to have assaulted a prisoner while escorting him from the Yellowknife courthouse on March 14. The prisoner was injured in the process.
Crown prosecution has elected to pursue the charges via summary conviction, meaning Wallace could face a lighter sentence if convicted.
Wallace is scheduled to make a plea on the assault charge on Oct. 15. He has been on administrative duties since the RCMP investigation into his charges began on March 15.
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