HAY RIVER
A man was found guilty of sexual assault involving a 13-year-old girl in NWT Supreme Court last week in Hay River.
A jury returned the verdict on Feb. 1 against 22-year-old Dennis Shatilla.
Sentencing is to take place at a later date. Shatilla was convicted of one incident of sexual assault.
According to Crown prosecutor Blair MacPherson, the charge against Shatilla involved having sexual relations with a female under the age of 18 years.
MacPherson said the complainant, in her testimony, described the incident as "sexual intercourse."
While the girl was 13, Shatilla was 19 at the time of the incident, which occurred in early 2014 in Hay River.
MacPherson noted Shatilla was living in Hay River at the time of the offence.
A publication ban by the court prohibits the release of any information which could identify the victim.
The girl and her father testified for the Crown during the trial. No evidence was called by the defence.
A jury was selected for the trial on Jan. 30 and all evidence was heard on Jan. 31.
Final summations were heard on Feb. 1 before the case went to the jury for deliberation.
The case will be back in court on Feb. 13 in Yellowknife to set a date for sentencing. MacPherson said the sentencing will take place in Hay River and is not expected to happen until mid-March at the earliest.
A pre-sentence report has been ordered, which usually takes a month to six weeks.
Shatilla was detained into custody after the trial.
