Sentencing for Sanirajak child sex offender postponed to July 28

A 72-year-old man who is guilty of sex crimes against minors in Sanirajak won’t be sentenced until July 28 to allow for a victim to submit an impact statement.

“This victim impact statement should have been obtained sooner, but that’s not the fault of the victim,” Judge Christian Lyons said to Simeonie Issigaitok Wednesday during an appearance at the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit.

“The victim deserves a voice here, and I will hear that voice before I decide anything.”

Issigaitok pleaded guilty in December 2025 to two counts of sexual interference, for sexually touching victims under the age of 16.

The first charge occurred in Sanirajak sometime between 1987 and 1989. Issigaitok assaulted a girl in her early teens at her home while her parents were asleep.

The second incident occurred in April 2025. Issigaitok was captured on security video during a community event touching a boy while he was seated with a group of children.

The prosecution is seeking a 10-year prison term for Issigaitok, said Crown lawyer Jessica Withers.

In her sentencing submission on Wednesday, Crown attorney Jessika Withers said she was seeking a 10-year prison term for Issigaitok.

Defence lawyer Alan Regel argued his client shouldn’t face anymore jail time.

“His remand time is more than adequate,” he said, adding that the victim’s impact statement should have been filed already.

Near the end of the proceeding, Issigaitok, who had primarily spoken Inuktitut, addressed Lyons in English.

“I was wrong. I don’t want to die in the prison,” he said. “I want to be staying … in my home.”

Issigaitok has a long history of sexual offences against children and young women. In 2021, he was guilty of forcing himself on an 18-year-old woman and threatening her if she called the police.

In 2014, justice Bonnie Tulloch found Issigaitok guilty of sexual interference against two boys and deemed him a dangerous offender. The court put Issigaitok on a long-term supervision order in 2016, after he served a two-year sentence.

In 2006, Issigaitok was found guilty of eight counts of sexual assault on eight girls between the ages of eight and 13.

The guilty verdicts on Issigaitok’s record date back to 1988.

Before Lyons adjourned the hearing, he made it clear that Issigaitok will be serving additional time in jail.

“I need to think about it, Mr. Issigaitok,” he said. “I can tell you that it wouldn’t have been time served today. So, you weren’t going be getting out today. And you’ll be getting credit for whatever time you’re waiting for me to decide this.”