SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The first stage of the Crown's dangerous offender application against John Murray Melanson wrapped up on Wednesday after two-and-a-half days of evidence in the Supreme Court of the NWT.

Melanson, 47, pleaded guilty on Feb. 8, 2010, to sexually assaulting two boys under the age of 16, possession of child pornography and breaking his probation conditions.

The offences took place in Hay River in 2006.

Originally from Saint John, N.B., Melanson has 56 prior convictions, eight related to sexual offences.

Justice Louise Charbonneau adjourned the hearing to April 18 at 9:30 a.m., where four additional days have been set aside in Supreme Court to hear more evidence and closing submissions from Crown prosecutor Shannon Smallwood and defence lawyers Thomas Boyd and Tracy Bock.

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