by Ian Elliot
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 17/97) - Violence in and around Yellowknife's bars became an issue in a territorial court case last week.

Sentencing a 23-year-old man who pleaded guilty to an August assault which began in the Gold Range Hotel, Judge Michel Bourassa worried aloud about the number of violent incidents coming before the courts that begin in or outside the city's drinking establishments.

Bourassa, who in past weeks has noted that violence in Yellowknife is many times the level seen in the South, referred to the rise in "gratuitous" violence in the past year and said the courts are not getting the full story.

That was the case last week, when no explanation was given for the assault.

Court heard that the victim entered the Gold Range on Aug. 15 and left after encountering the other man. He was pursued onto the sidewalk outside, where he was punched in the head and then chased down the street by his assailant.

His injuries were minor and no explanation was given for the assault, except that the two men knew each other and "don't get along well together."

There was conflicting testimony about whether there was a scuffle inside the bar.

"I'm only getting part of the story and I say this violence has to stop," Judge Bourassa said, handing the accused man a $500 fine for the assault.