Defence, Crown prosecution rest their cases in Justin Sewell sentencing hearing

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Crown prosecution and defence council rested their cases on Thursday, December 12th, in the sentencing trial for Veterinarian Justin Sewell. 

The trial resumed on Wednesday, December 11th, after being delayed for several months due to an illness.

The trial was originally meant to conclude on Friday, December 13th, but it will now be delivered at a later date. 

After both sides rested their cases, the judge apologized to the Crown and Defence and said he would not be able to deliver Sewell’s sentence on Friday.

The judge claimed he needed more time to fully assess the case and deliver the appropriate sentence. 

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.

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

A final sentencing date has yet to be determined.