Gjoa Haven (Sep 22/03) - Some Gjoa Haven residents want a repeat offender with 39 criminal convictions banished from their community.

David Nakashook is currently charged with two counts of assault against a man and a woman on Aug. 9 and two counts of breach of probation. Nakashook has been on probation since November 2002, when he was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment for a sexual assault he committed in Cambridge Bay.

These latest charges have the rumour mill churning in the community about having Nakashook banished from the hamlet.

Mayor Peter Akkikungnaq said the rumours have been greatly exaggerated and he would like to leave the judgement up to the court system.

"I've never seen him (Nakashook) causing a lot of trouble in the community. One or two people have a problem with him and from there the rumours have spread," said the mayor.

Since 2001, Nakashook has been convicted of 39 charges ranging from drug possession to assault, sexual assault and other sex crimes.

After Nakashook sexually assaulted a 17-year-old woman in Cambridge Bay last year, the hamlet wanted him banished. Upon sentencing, Justice Beverly Browne denied the request.

Nakashook left the community soon after and moved to Gjoa Haven. Now he is facing a similar situation there.

Hamlet staying out of it

Akkikungnaq explained the hamlet council shouldn't be involved in personal issues.

He said if Nakashook's presence was a big problem in the community they would consider banishment, but that's not the case right now.

"The courts have to deal with him first," said the mayor.

Keith Peterson, Mayor of Cambridge Bay, was unavailable for comment by press time.

Nakashook's next court appearance has been scheduled for Oct. 7 in Gjoa Haven.