Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

INUVIK
A former Inuvik teacher accused of multiple offences, including sexual assault and making child pornography, appeared in territorial court by video Wednesday afternoon.

Hugues Latour, who is in custody in Yellowknife, addressed three charges - forcible entry, common assault and breach of the terms and conditions of his release from jail on a prior charge.

Latour's lawyer for the day, Stephen Shabala, told Judge Bernadette Schmaltz that Latour, 38, is pleading not guilty to the three charges and wants his trial to be conducted in French. Crown prosecutor Glen Boyd did not pose any objections but said he would need some time to find translation services.

The Crown elected to proceed by summary conviction on all three counts, which involves a lesser sentence than indictable offences, if guilt is proven.

Another seven charges against Latour are expected to be before the court on Tuesday.

The accused is scheduled to appear by video to set a date for his Inuvik trial. Boyd said the Crown will likely choose whether to proceed summarily or by indictment on the seven additional charges during this week's court date.

The two sets of charges relate to separate matters, said Boyd. If Latour pleads not guilty to the seven additional charges, another trial will be arranged.

Latour has been held in jail since his arrest in October and has not sought release on bail.

He has lived in Inuvik since 2007, taught grades 5 and 6 at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School and worked as Samuel Hearne Secondary School's French immersion teacher. He has not worked at either school since winter 2010.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.