Yellowknife (Sep 26/03) - A Yellowknife man was sentenced to 32 months in prison yesterday for strangling and sexually assaulting a 59-year-old woman.

Antoine Naskathey, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault stemming from the brutal attempted rape more than two years ago.

This is a tragic case because of the impact the assault has had on the victim, said Supreme Court Justice Virginia Schuler.

Wearing a baseball cap and a bandanna over his face, Naskathey broke into the womans trailer at around 4 a.m. on July 21, 2001, according to an agreed statement of facts.

He saw the woman sitting at her computer, knocked her to the ground and climbed on top of her.

When she resisted, Naskathey choked her with a bandanna until she nearly lost consciousness.

He then lifted her skirt and tried to rape her for 10 minutes, but was unable to sustain an erection. He hastily ejaculated on her back and then left the house.

During sentencing Naskathey sobbed uncontrollably as he apologized to the court for the crime.

Im very sorry for what Ive done. It was a horrible and disgusting crime that shouldnt have happened, he said to Schuler.

I want to make up for the grief and pain I have caused, he bellowed.

Naskatheys mother was also in court room and she wept openly as her son pleaded for forgiveness.

Schuler was satisfied that Naskathey was genuinely remorseful, but she said the violent nature of the crime merited a stiff sentence.

So many incidents of sexual assault come before the court. Perhaps thankfully

they are not as brutal as this. That is an aggravating factor, Schuler said.

Naskatheys identity wasnt known to the victim at the time of the attack, but police were able to track him down thanks to some forensic detective work.

The RCMP crime lab was able to match DNA left at the scene with a sample Naskathey was forced to provide after a break and enter conviction in Edmonton in 2002.

Long rap sheet

It was Naskatheys 32nd conviction since 1994, the majority of which were property offences.

Its fair to say his record is horrendous, said Schuler.

Crown attorney Shannon Smallwood said Naskathey was becoming increasingly violent. Schuler agreed.

There is concern that his behaviour has escalated to something much more serious, said the Justice.

Naskathey is still facing two charges stemming from the incident: one for break and enter, and the other for possession of a burglary tool.