A Burns Lake man who pleaded guilty to sexual assault in November 2021 was sentenced at the Smithers Law Courts on December 16.
The accused, a former hereditary chief of the Lake Babine Nation, received a conditional sentence order of two years less a day, followed by three years of probation for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.
The man must remain confined at his property during the first 18 months, except to leave for emergency medical care, employment, court attendance, religious services, legal, medical or dental appointments. He is banned from contacting or communicating with the victim. Additionally, the court imposed a DNA order, mandated compliance with the Sex Offender Information Registration Act, and prohibited him from possessing firearms for 20 years.
The sentencing hearing, initially set for October 21, 2024, was postponed to October 28 due to ongoing delays in the case.
The hearing had previously been rescheduled several times: first from September 27 because of a lack of available court time, and then from May 6 to June 3 due to incomplete pre-sentencing reports.
In line with a publication ban, the identity of the accused is being withheld to protect the privacy of the victim.
