Yellowknife, N.W.T. - A Yellowknife judge heard final submissions in court on Wednesday in sentencing Jason Balsillie of four charges, including sexual assault and assault with a weapon.

Judge Christine Gagnon found the 43-year-old guilty at a trial earlier this year... for an attack on a woman on Jan. 23.

That's when Balsillie held a knife to the victim's throat, threatened to kill her, and sexually assaulted her.

During his trial earlier this year, the victim recanted the story, saying the assault did not happen, but Judge Christine Gagnon did not believe her testimony.

In court, Crown prosecutor Jessica Patterson called the one-hour assault 'serious and prolonged' and requested a jail sentence of 16 to 18 months.

Quoting Shakespeare, defense lawyer Hugh Latimer asked the judge to have mercy on Balsillie, noting that he has no record of this sort of crime and suggested a conditional sentence to be served in the community.

Judge Gagnon called the case 'complex' and says she will sentence the man on Jan. 26.

CJCD Mix 100 News
 

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