Former RCMP officer handed 9-year sentence for sexual assaults
Judge rejects lawyers’ joint proposal for 4-year sentence, calling it ‘out of whack’
Mosesie Ikkidluak, left, is accompanied by family and friends as he walks to the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit on Monday. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
A former RCMP special constable stationed in Iqaluit was sentenced to nine years in federal prison Monday after a jury found him guilty of three counts of sexual assault.
Mosesie Ikkidluak, who is in his late 30s, was charged Dec. 21, 2021 in connection with three sexual assaults — one in 2008 and two more in 2021 — all involving the same person.
In each instance, the victim was sleeping at the time of the attack.
Crown and defence lawyers offered a joint proposal for sentencing that would have seen Ikkidluak get a four-year prison sentence.
Justice Paul Bychok rejected that, calling the proposal “out of whack” and “completely unhinged.”
“Mr. Ikkidluak’s offences are objectively graver than the parties have portrayed them,” Bychok said in his ruling.
The victim’s identity cannot be published due to a court-ordered publication ban.
Bychok also banned publication of the person’s victim impact statement, which was read by the victim who participated in the hearing by Zoom.
“The lengthy statement [from the victim] sets out the profound and continuing negative impact and emotional trauma she experienced, particularly in the aftermath of reporting the incidents to the police and the subsequent trial,” Bychok noted.
“Both the victim, as well as her immediate and extended family, have suffered the impact of Mr. Ikkidluak’s crimes and will continue to do so into the future.”
Approximately 15 members of Ikkidluak’s family and friends were in the courtroom Monday. As well, four letters of support for him were read out by his lawyer Alison Crowe, including a letter from his mother, Beatrice Ikkidluak.
“He is very helpful,” she wrote of her son. “We as a family will be very much impacted by the decision.”
Ikkidluak is from a “respected family” and the son of a residential school survivor, Bychok said.
He was raised “in a loving manner” and his childhood had “many happy memories,” according to his mother in a pre-sentencing report.
Ikkidluak suffers from alcoholism, however Bychok said his “alcohol abuse was not a contributing, mitigating or systemic factor,” noting it didn’t interfere with his job or other personal relationships.
Nunavut RCMP, in a May 2021 post on its Facebook page, described Ikkidluak as having been a member of the provost unit for 12 years, “which means he has seen every community in Nunavut while doing prisoner escorts” and also “assists in calls for service” in Iqaluit.
Bychok said his sentence “recognizes and reflects the wrongfulness of sexual violence” and “the significant harm” caused to the victim and the immediate family.
“Mr. Ikkidluak perpetrated three serious sexual assaults on his vulnerable, defenceless and sleeping Inuit victim,” Bychok said.
Glad justice was done for thr victim and any others that may have also been too scared to come forward. Bychuck deserves kudos for this one.
Nice to see a fitting sentence for sexual assault again.. if you just keep these kinds of sentences going for all of the domestic violence perpetrators those who commit serial assault Nunavut would be a much nicer place to live.. wouldn’t have even had to build the new prison as so many people would be in the south in federal prisons instead of roaming communities constantly reoffending without consequence. Bravo, keep up the good work.
Sexual assault not serial assault*
Good for the judge. What was the prosecutor thinking making that joint proposal? An RCMP constable assaulted someone at a minimum 3 times.
“Justice Paul Bychok rejected that, calling the proposal “out of whack” and “completely unhinged.””
People love to hate him but we need more Bychoks.
I don’t think His Honour is concerned about what people think of him.
You hate him because he didn’t sentence someone as hard as you would. You love him because you think he is hardnosed and lays a hard sentence on someone else.
His honour listens to all the facts presented, makes a judgement and sentences according to law (not what the public thinks it should be)
In either case, the prosecution or the defenders can appeal his decision. (Haven’t heard about any appeals yet).
I have found him to be fair and thoughtful in all his cases.
I have followed this story with interest since the original charges were laid. I am left to wonder how many other victims have been assaulted, but have not come forward. Thank you, your honour for not accepting sentence recommendations and instead sentencing this offender to a significant term. Not only was he in a position of trust as an RCMP S/Cst, but he attacked this woman while she was sleeping. And apparently attacked the same person three times. He is a sick man. Jail may not rehabilitate him, but at least the community will be safe from his sickness for 4 or 5 years. Good job Justice Bychok. I feel bad for his family, his wife and childern who are left without support and have to pick up the pieces, and now take care of themselves.
Very happy to see a proper sentence for this crime.
way to go Bychok. Best judge in NU
I just read in the CBC that the accused has filed an appeal of this sentence. So, I guess Bychok won’t have the final word on who or what is “ out of whack” or “unhinged” in all of this……..
he should get 9 years. put in a position of trust with the public, especially RCMP, some sentences are deterrents, and examples…this is one of them.