Four men arrested for sexually assaulting young girls
By Castlegar Source
Four Nelson men have been charged with sexual interference in four separate cases involving girls as young as 12, according to Nelson Police Department Sgt. Paul Burkart.
“Over the past seven months, Nelson Police Department has investigated a number of complaints that involve sexual relations between young girls and older teenage or young adult males,” he said. “The young females in these incidents are, by law, too young to provide consent to sexual relations, and sex without consent is sexual assault. In a strong statement to the media, Burkart denounced the men and their behavior. “Nelson Police find this trend very disturbing,” he said. “The age of consent is set out very clearly in the Criminal Code. When these males take advantage of the younger girls and police are made aware, an investigation will be commenced and charges will be forwarded to the Provincial Crown Prosecutor’s office should they be warranted. “Nelson Police sees this behavior by these males as nothing short of predatory. “The Criminal Code also reflects the seriousness of this offence as it sets out minimum sentences for those convicted of Sexual Interference. For a summary conviction, the minimum sentence is 14 days incarceration, and for indictable convictions, the minimum sentence is 45 days incarceration.”
