SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The quick actions of two good Samaritans may have saved a 23-year-old Yellowknife woman from serious harm after she was viciously attacked on 53 Street south of Franklin Avenue on Jan. 2.

Bobby Zoe of Behchoko, right, appeared in territorial court Wednesday to face several charges after being accused of attacking a Yellowknife woman Sunday night. - Ian Vaydik/NNSL photo

Bobby Zoe, 29, of Behchoko appeared in territorial court Wednesday to face several charges, including sexual assault; assault with a weapon; uttering threats; robbery; choking to overcome resistance and breach of probation.

According to an RCMP press release issued Jan. 4, the woman was walking down 53 Street at approximately 8:15 p.m. when a man grabbed her from behind and threw her to the ground.

The man then demanded money and threatened to kill her. Even though he had his hands wrapped around her neck choking her, she was able to call for help, the press release reads.

Two men living in a nearby house, ages 19 and 27, heard her cries for help and ran to stop the attack.

The assailant tried to run away. The two men chased him for about a block until catching him and holding him until police arrived. Still, the assailant allegedly managed to smash the 19-year-old over the head with a liquor bottle.

The man was cut, but didn't require medical attention. The victim was not "seriously physically injured in the attack," according to the RCMP. Yellowknifer attempted to interview the two good Samaritans, but was unable to reach them on Thursday.

Zoe has yet to enter a plea to the charges.

Judge Robert Gorin issued a publication ban protecting the victim's identity on Wednesday, and then adjourned the matter to the afternoon.

During the afternoon session, defence lawyer Stephen Shabala told the court his client did not wish to proceed with a show cause hearing at this time, and he waived the formal reading of the charges.

Crown prosecutor Blair MacPherson told the court the Crown is treating all the charges as indictable offences, which carry more serious penalties if there is a conviction.

Zoe is being held in custody until his next court appearance Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m.

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