Yellowknife (Aug 13/03) - In territorial court last week, a 67-year-old man blamed his wife for the violent crime he committed against her.

The man, who believed his wife was having an affair when the offense occurred, pleaded guilty to sexual assault. Judge Michel Bourassa sentenced him to 15 months in jail and a year of probation.

Crown Counsel Caroline Carrasco told the court the victim was socializing with community members in Dettah on May 28. She returned to her place, but the door was locked.

Her common law husband opened the door, grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the bedroom. He accused her of being unfaithful and said he wanted to check her genitals, which he proceeded to do. The incident did not involve full-blown sexual intercourse.

He then dragged her by the hair to the home of the man he thought she was having an affair with. When he let go of her hair, she escaped.

Bruser said it's depressing how many men, fuelled by insecurity, assault their wives because of real or imagined infidelity.

When asked if he'd like to say anything, the accused, who has a history of violence, told the judge the assault would never have happened if his wife had come home earlier.

The accused still blames the victim, responded the disgusted judge.

Dangerous driver fined

A man who sped and fishtailed around Yellowknife was fined $1,000 and given a six-month driving prohibition.

Fraser Crass pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of liquor and dangerous driving, said Crown Counsel Terri Nguyen.

Police responded to a complaint that two women were fighting in an SUV in the Winks parking lot.

They questioned two women at Winks, who matched the description of the women, but they denied fighting.

Then RCMP saw them standing by an SUV, which sped off and fishtailed through the parking lot.

Police followed the vehicle. The driver was going 80 kilometres in a 45 kilometre zone and didn't stop for lights or police sirens.

When the car finally pulled over, Crass had blood shot and watery eyes.

He yelled obscenities at police. Beer was found in the car. A breath test wasn't done because police couldn't locate the device.

His lawyer Margot Engley said the man was not trying to evade police, but to get away from the women he had argued with.

Judge Michel Bourassa pointed to the 24-year-old man's criminal record and said: I think we could spend some time talking about the world's dumbest criminals, but I'll forgo the opportunity.