CALGARY – A 17-year-old boy accused in a violent sexual assault in Canyon Meadows made his first court appearance on Thursday.
The victim was attacked on Sunday as she walked along a pathway through the green space between Canata Close and Canterbury Drive S.W.
Police say she was threatened with a weapon and repeatedly sexually assaulted. It’s alleged her attacker followed her after they rode the bus together, exiting at Elbow Drive and Canata Place S.W. around 11 p.m.
“Looking at the occurrence and what happened, I never thought he would be under 18,” said S/Sgt. Bev Voros from the Sex Crimes Unit, adding the suspect turned himself in.
“I can’t tell you as part of the investigation why he turned himself in, but as you can see the public pressure with everything in the media, obviously we were looking for him.”
The accused appeared in court in person on Thursday. He is charged with one count each of sexual assault with a weapon, robbery, uttering threats and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Police say the suspect is originally from Montreal, and has been in Calgary for six months. He can’t be tried as an adult, but if convicted Alberta Justice can push to have him sentenced as an adult.
His name also cannot be released, due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The suspect has requested to have a French speaking interpreter at his next appearance, which is a bail hearing on June 24th, 2014.
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