John Pontes, the owner of Northwoods Inn and Suites on Idylwyld Drive in Saskatoon, was found guilty of sexual assault in provincial court on Thursday.
Pontes was accused of raping a tenant in his suite at Northwoods Inn, as well as touching her breasts in a back room of the motel earlier in the day on June 1, 2017.
A judge believed the allegation Pontes touched the woman’s breasts. He was found not guilty on the rape allegation.
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He was also found not guilty of extortion.
The complainant alleged Pontes offered an exchange of accommodations and a job at the motel in return for sexual favours.
“It’s a very confusing thing there and I cannot make any comments because I don’t understand it,” Pontes said to reporters outside of court.
“Well I am not a lawyer dear. I’m just an old man OK? I’m just a simple little businessman.”
In his decision, judge Morris Baniak said he believed the complainant’s testimony of Pontes fondling her breasts, because it was both credible and reliable.
As for the alleged second sexual assault of rape, Baniak said the absence of evidence, such as medical reports, rape kit results, clothing, DNA evidence, and incriminating evidence found by police after searching Pontes’ suite, gave rise to reasonable doubt.
Sentencing has been set for Feb. 12, 2019.
Pontes will be on trial again the next day for other charges related to an alleged sexual assault against another woman.
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