Justin Sewell sexual assault sentencing hearing resumes

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The sentencing hearing for a local veterinarian who pled guilty to charges of sexual assault has resumed after a months-long delay.

The sentencing hearing for Justin Sewell resumed at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 11th. 

The sentencing was meant to conclude in August but had to be postponed when the defense was unable to attend court due to an illness.

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.

Sewell’s hearing is expected to take multiple days to conclude, with the last court date currently scheduled for Friday, December 13th.