NNSL (Mar 18/98) - A Rankin Inlet man is off to jail after he was convicted in Yellowknife territorial court for three sexual offences and serving alcohol to minors.

Johnny Naukatsik was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference, in addition to the charge of serving alcohol to minors.

Naukatsik was arrested in Rankin Inlet Feb. 19 and was remanded in custody until his trial.

Judge Michel Bourassa handed down a four-month prison term as well as a one-year probation for the offences.

Bourassa, while sentencing Naukatsik, stressed the seriousness of the crime.

"What does one do with a man that's pawing at little girls -- putting his hands in their pants or on their breasts," he said. "What goes through one's mind? It's awful," Bourassa said.

"Stay away from little girls Mr. Naukatsik."