Delon Shurtz
lethbridge herald
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A man who had sex with an unconscious woman is going to jail, he just won't know for how long until he's sentenced in a couple of months.
Christopher James Hind Bull pleaded guilty Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court to one count of sexual assault, but sentencing was adjourned to allow him to get his affairs in order as he and his lawyer anticipate a jail term.
Court was told witnesses saw Hind Bull and a woman outside the Black Rock Terrace seniors residence on Scenic Drive South about 7:30 p.m. April 20 of last year. The man was trying to pull down the woman's pants while she struggled to keep them up.
Police were called, but before they arrived one witness who remained in the area saw the man lie down beside the woman who was on the ground near the parking lot.
When police arrived they saw the man having sex with the woman, and after they told him to stop, they realized the woman had passed out and was unresponsive.
"They were unable to rouse her," Crown prosecutor Dave Labrenz told court.
The woman, who had been drinking with her sister earlier in the day, doesn't remember the incident and only recalls waking up in the hospital. Hind Bull, who doesn't know the complainant, can't remember the assault, either.
The matter was scheduled for trial Thursday, but Hind Bull pleaded guilty instead and an agreed statement of facts was read in court. The next hearing is set for March 27 when the Crown and defence are expected to provide the judge with a joint submission for sentencing.