EditorSA国际影视传媒檚 note: This story contains details that some readers may find disturbing.

Following a brutal assault against a woman on a Northern highway, Kelly Ovayuak was sentenced to three years in prison in NWT Supreme Court on April 18.

He was also given credit for 21 months of time served while awaiting the conclusion of his court case.

He originally faced 10 charges, including kidnapping, break and enter, failing to stop for police and impaired driving, but the majority were dropped as part of a plea deal. He wound up pleading guilty to aggravated assault and breaching a no-contact order with his victim.

For the victim and her family, the punishment has been a long time coming.

SA国际影视传媒淔inally two years after the incident, we are hoping that justice will be served,SA国际影视传媒� said one of the family members who appeared in court to share their impact statements.

Ovayuak didnSA国际影视传媒檛 appear come to court in-person on April 18, instead opting to show up virtually from the North Slave Correctional Complex.

According to an agreed statement of facts, in April 2022, Ovayuak kidnapped and assaulted the victim. He attacked her while driving her truck to Tuktoyaktuk on the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk highway.

The woman initially tried to run away, but doing so barefoot in freezing temperatures wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 tolerable. She ended up with severe frostbite on her hands and feet and, with little choice, returned to the truck and her assailant.

SA国际影视传媒淓very part of me has been torn apart,SA国际影视传媒� the victim stated. SA国际影视传媒淓very time I look in the mirror, I see my change in appearance.SA国际影视传媒�

Multiple impact statements from the victimSA国际影视传媒檚 family put onus on the for not taking Ovayuak seriously enough earlier. He was released a number of times before he eventually kidnapped his victim.

Despite the grave circumstances, the victim made it clear she hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 given up on herself, nor has her family.

SA国际影视传媒淚 will thrive. I will shine,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut I will not put up with any negative behaviours towards me.SA国际影视传媒�

While the victimSA国际影视传媒檚 family took turns reading their impact statements, Ovayuak quietly watched, occasionally yawning or tinkering with his glasses and fingernails. During his previous court appearance, he also stuck his tongue out and laughed as Justice Andrew Mahar left the courtroom. The victimSA国际影视传媒檚 family made sure to note his behaviour on Thursday.

SA国际影视传媒淚 fear for the day that he is released,SA国际影视传媒� a family member said. SA国际影视传媒淗e literally laughed in the face of justice.SA国际影视传媒�

Mahar thanked the victim and her family after making their statements. He said he hopes to never see Ovayuak in court again.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is your fault, and it is yours to fix,SA国际影视传媒� he said, addressing the offender.

Mahar also did something he isnSA国际影视传媒檛 even sure can be enforced.

Ovayuak is valued in his community, said his lawyer John Hale, especially when it comes to hunting. This requires him to own a firearm, however. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 something Mahar was somewhat reluctant to allow.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 going to make what I hope is an enforceable orderSA国际影视传媒� the judge said, recommending that a regional firearms officer carefully considers OvayuakSA国际影视传媒檚 application and whatever programming he completes while incarcerated.

Mahar also suggested that OvayuakSA国际影视传媒檚 possession of firearms be limited to hunting and contingent on his sobriety.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not sure how enforceable that is,SA国际影视传媒� he admitted.

Mahar also recommended that Ovayuak be sent to a federal penitentiary to help him with rehabilitating.

As for Ovayuak himself, he was a man of few words on Thursday. Initially, he did not wish to speak, but he did say he apologizes to the victim and her family.

SA国际影视传媒淛ust trying to look forward,SA国际影视传媒� he added.