Fort St. John, B.C. – A 15 year old youth has been charged with numerous offences following the Fort St. John RCMP’s investigation into two incidents involving young females being assaulted in Toboggan Hill Park. The investigations began on November 9, 2011 after a female youth reported that she had been approached by an unknown male in the park and sexually assaulted as she walked through the park around 8:30 to 9:00 am. On November 29, 2011 a second female reported that she had been assaulted while walking through the park at approximately 8:00 am.

The Fort St. John RCMP communicated with area schools throughout their investigation in order to ensure that students and parents were aware of the potential risks that could be associated to traveling through and in the area the park. Foot patrols and roaming patrols were conducted in the area and witnesses were sought following both incidents. As the identity of the suspect or suspects were unknown, the public was asked to report any suspicious occurrences that they observed to the RCMP.

As a result of evidence that was obtained from the investigation, RCMP were able to identify a possible suspect and on January 19, 2012 Crown Counsel approved several charges against a male youth from the Fort St. John area. The youth has been charged with kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon, attempted sexual assault and uttering threats. The youth is currently in custody in relation to charges stemming from an assault on an 8 year old girl at the Pomeroy Sports Centre on December 1, 2011. The youth’s next scheduled court appearance is on February 8, 2012.