Veterinarian guilty of sexual assault handed two years’ house arrest

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A Fort St. John veterinarian who pleaded guilty to sexual assault has been sentenced to almost two years on house arrest.

Justin Sewell pleaded 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.

His sentencing was scheduled and occurred at the Fort St. John Provincial Courthouse on Friday, April 4th, 2025.

The sentence includes two years, less one day for one count of sexual assault, six months for one count of secretly observing/recording nudity or sexual activity and three months for one count of secretly observing/recording nudity in private place. 

The sentence is to be served concurrently. 

Sewell is required to meet with a conditional sentence supervisor before 3 p.m. on April 4th. 

Conditions of his sentence say he cannot communicate with the victim or be within 50 metres of the victim’s workplace. 

He also cannot possess firearms, leave the province or possess or consume alcohol or drugs. 

In mid-December, the hearing was postponed after the Crown prosecution and defence council concluded their arguments for aggravating and mitigating factors. The judge said he needed more time to fully assess the case and deliver an appropriate sentence.

During the sentencing hearing, the defence and prosecution offered aggravating and mitigating factors for Sewell’s sentence. 

Sewell’s defence argued for a mitigated sentence due to suffering from a porn and sex addiction to which he has recieved treatment. 

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