A Behchoko man convicted of sexually assaulting a sleeping victim in her early teens while out on bail for another sexual assault will learn his fate at a sentencing hearing Friday.
Forty-two-year-old Peter John Lafferty, who previously pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, hung his head with his gaze fixed to the floor during a facts and sentencing hearing in NWT Supreme Court Tuesday.
In an agreed statement of facts read in court, the Crown detailed two major sexual assaults committed by Lafferty within the span of a month.
In early October of 2016, the court heard, a woman was drinking heavily at LaffertySA国际影视传媒檚 residence with friends before passing out. A friend, who tried to wake the woman up but couldnSA国际影视传媒檛, left LaffertySA国际影视传媒檚 house and called SA国际影视传媒揷oncerned that her friend was intoxicated and alone with the defendant.
With no answer from Lafferty, responding Mounties kicked down his door. Lafferty was found passed out inside, with the highly intoxicated woman, who was awoken by paramedics, nearby.
Two condoms found inside the residence SA国际影视传媒 sent for testing along with Lafferty and the victimSA国际影视传媒檚 clothes SA国际影视传媒 contained DNA that matched that of the defendant and the victim.
Lafferty was arrested, but was soon released on an undertaking. Just three weeks later, he committed another sexual assault on a passed out victim SA国际影视传媒 this time a girl in her early teens.
After a night of drinking at the offenderSA国际影视传媒檚 home on Oct. 22, 2016, the girl awoke to Lafferty having sex with her.
DNA analysis of a condom found inside the residence yielded matches for Lafferty and the victim. Lafferty was taken into custody later that day SA国际影视传媒 where heSA国际影视传媒檚 remained since.
SA国际影视传媒淗e took advantage of an opportunity that presented itself on two occasions, the second while he was released on an undertaking,SA国际影视传媒 said Crown prosecutor Jeannie Scott.
SA国际影视传媒淪entencing needs to send a message to Lafferty that this conduct is intolerable,SA国际影视传媒 added Scott, who lamented the prevalence of SA国际影视传媒渨idespreadSA国际影视传媒 sexual assault on sleeping victims in the territory.
Citing the seriousness of the sexual assaults, coupled with LaffertySA国际影视传媒檚 criminal record - which includes a 1999 conviction for sexually assaulting a sleeping woman SA国际影视传媒 the Crown recommended a global sentence of 4 years and 9 months.
In a joint submission with the Crown, Lafferty's lawyer Jay Bran asked for the same sentence to be imposed.
Scott said the LaffertySA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渕anySA国际影视传媒 Gladue factors SA国际影视传媒 including a childhood plagued by abuse and alcoholism SA国际影视传媒 and his pleading guilty should also be considered. She added Lafferty has expressed the desire to personally apologize to his victims.
SA国际影视传媒淲hat I did was stupid,SA国际影视传媒 Lafferty told Justice Louise Charbonneau Tuesday, adding he was drinking a lot at the time of the assaults to cope with grief.
Lafferty, who was intoxicated during the assaults, has little memory of committing the crimes.
SA国际影视传媒淚 drink to numb my situation. I want to change my life,SA国际影视传媒 said Lafferty.
If Lafferty receives the recommended 4 year, 9 month sentence, heSA国际影视传媒檒l have 25 months SA国际影视传媒 just over two years SA国际影视传媒 left to serve. Charbonneau is expected to hand down her sentencing decision Friday morning.