By Taylor MacPherson

Crown seeks 4.5-year sentence in sex assault case

Jun 7, 2017 | 12:00 PM

The Crown pushed for a four-and-a-half year sentence this morning for a man found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl under age 12.

Bill Mervin Chamakese, 55, was found guilty of sexual assault and sexual interference after a trial held in May. Although many details of the crime cannot be printed in order to protect the identity of the victim, court heard Chamakese took advantage of a position of authority to commit numerous sexual assaults on a preteen girl over a period of several years.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Maureen Longworth said she was pushing for a lengthy sentence because Chamakese has shown no remorse, made no attempt to seek treatment, and because of the young age and “extreme vulnerability” of the victim.

Defence lawyer Mary McAuley said Chamakese did not plead guilty or show remorse because he insists he is not guilty, despite the outcome of the trial.

“He plead not guilty and he’s maintaining his innocence,” she said.

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McAuley also outlined Chamakese’s troubled background, which included alcoholism, abuse suffered at residential school, surviving a house fire which left him with burns and claimed the life of his brother.

McAuley said the defence was seeking a sentence of two years in jail followed by a year of probation.

Throughout much of the hearing Chamakese, shackled in the prisoner’s box, bowed his head so low that only his shoulders were visible to the gallery. When asked if he had any comments to make personally, he shook his head.

Justice Neil Gabrielson said he did not want to pass a sentence without due consideration, and reserved his decision until June 14.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews