Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Aug 02/02) - A 17-year-old Fort Simpson male is facing 19 charges in an alleged series of sexual assaults over the past several months.

There are currently nine victims -- between the ages of 13 and 18 -- who have come forward, according to Const. Shane Hubley of the Fort Simpson RCMP detachment.

Police are still investigating and are requesting that community members share any information regarding previously reported or unreported incidents.

"The law of averages says if there are this many (victims), there are probably more," Hubley said.

In each of the reported cases, which span from late February to July, the accused is said to have entered a home through an open door or window. The victim then woke up while the suspect was committing the sexual assault, according to Hubley.

He noted that there have been no reports of specific violence, and in each case the suspect leaves the home when the victim awakes. The officer added the accused reportedly did return several times to some of the homes within a two to three hours.

The accused, whose identity is protected by the Young Offenders Act, has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault, break and enter and other offences. He is being held in custody in Hay River and is awaiting a Territorial Court appearance in Fort Simpson in September, at which time he is to enter pleas to each offence.