Iqaluit businessman facing sex charge

IQALUIT — Iqaluit businessman Bryan Pearson has pleaded not guilty in Territorial Court to a single charge of sexual assault.

Court documents show Pearson stands accused of committing the alleged offence sometime between Aug. 10, 1997 and Aug 24, 1998.

The former mayor and territorial counselor entered his plea in Territorial Court in Iqaluit on Feb. 22.

He has elected to be tried by a territorial court judge without a jury. This means there will be no preliminary hearing and that he and his accuser can proceed directly to trial, which has been set for March 23.

Under the Criminal Code, names of sexual assault complainants may not be published or broadcast.