Fort St John veterinarian’s sexual assault sentencing hearing continues Thursday

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Veterinarian Justin Sewell’s sexual assault sentencing hearing at Fort St. John Provincial Court continued on Thursday.

Sewells’ sentence is expected to be delivered at a later date. 

The court hoped that Sewell’s sentencing would happen by Friday, but the judge said he would require more time to make a decision on the sentence, which he says is important and will not be rushed. 

Sewell pled guilty to charges of sexual assault, unlawfully recording intimate images and voyeurism in November of 2022 after a sexual assault investigation that started in 2019.

According to the investigation, the incidents happened in 2007 in Charlie Lake.

Court documents say Sewell sexually assaulted the victim before secretly observing and recording sexual activity or nudity in a private area.

To prevent the victim and witnesses from being identified, details from the hearing are under a publication ban.

The hearing will continue Friday morning.