Iqaluit child molester gets house arrest

An Iqaluit man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two young girls, aged five and 10, will spend 16 months in house arrest as part of a two-year conditional sentence.

Arlooktoo Takoonagak, a 34-year-old City of Iqaluit employee, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on Sept. 30, avoiding the need for a trial.

Takoonagak sexually assaulted the two girls at least four times each in 1999 and 2000.

Crown lawyer Judy Chan said Takoonagak fondled the girls and penetrated them with his fingers. Afterwards, Takoonagak instructed his victims not to tell their mother.

The assaults left the youths angry, confused and fearful, Chan said.

“They’ll have to live with his actions for the rest of their lives.”

Chan and defence lawyer John Thompson made a joint submission, requesting a conditional sentence of two years less a day.

Takoonagak will spend 16 months of the sentence under house arrest in Iqaluit, allowing him to work during the day.

Justice Earl Johnson said Takoonagak committed a serious breach of trust.

“It must be a serious blow to be abused by someone you trust,” he said.

The complainants, now eight and 12, relocated to London, Ontario, with their mother and older sister. The family was not in court for the sentencing.