Barrhead teenager pleads guilty to sexual assault

WESTLOCK – A 17-year-old Barrhead youth pleaded guilty to sexual assault in the Westlock Court of Justice on Oct. 9.

In a joint ruling by the Crown and defense, the youth, who cannot be identified due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was granted a conditional discharge. This means that if he successfully fulfills the conditions for 12 months, he will not have a criminal record.

“This is on the low end, but when you have someone who has to physically fight to avoid being sexually abused, you think about the impact on them and the harm that can occur if you are put in that situation,” said Justice TW Akhtymichuk in sentencing the juvenile.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Dirgo told the court it was an “attempt rather than an attack”.

The court heard that in November 2022, two male youths and a female youth were hanging out in Barrhead when she was pushed to the ground and held and the boys tried to grab her chest. She managed to free her wrists and kicked and punched them.

The other male youth was sentenced to probation because his role was greater, Dirgo said.

The defense told the court that this youth was “in a position of complacency and was not the main perpetrator.”

A trial was scheduled for the end of the month.

He was ordered to provide his DNA to the Barrhead RCMP for the National DNA Data Bank by October 11.