Monday, January 9, 2017

More sexual assault charges: 3d court-martial underway for Petty Officer 2nd Class Wilks

Although CAF policy prohibited the examination of breasts during enrolment physical examinations, Canadian Armed Forces retired Petty Officer 2nd Class James Wilks regularly conducted such breast examinations at Recruiting Centres in Sarnia, Thunder Bay  and London (Ontario) by using his hands and fingers. PO2 Wilks told female applicants that a breast examination was part of the enrolment medical.  

2011 STANDING COURT MARTIAL 

In 2011, Wilks was charged with two counts of sexual assault and four counts of breach of the public trust both contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. At his Standing Court Martial, Wilks was found guilty of one charge of sexual assault and four charges of breach of trust by a public officer. [See: HM  v.  Wilks, 2011 CM 4024]  He was sentenced to a period of imprisonment of nine months and be registered as a sex offender pursuant to the provisions of sections 196.11 and 196.16 of the National Defence Act. [See: HM v. Wilks, 2011 CM 4029.]

2013 STANDING COURT MARTIAL


More women came forward in 2012 alleging they were assaulted in Thunder Bay and London Recruiting Centres during medical examinations conducted by Wilks in 2008-2009. 

At his second Standing Court Martial, HM v. Wilks J.K., 2013 CM 3032 , Wilks was found guilty of  ten charges of sexual assaults and fifteen charges of breach of trust charges for offences that occurred between 2003 and 2009 involving 15 different complainants. He was sentenced to period of imprisonment of 30 months.

2017 GENERAL COURT MARTIAL

A General Court Martial is now scheduled to take place on January 9, 2017. This time, retired Petty Officer 2nd Class Wilks is facing one sexual assault charge and seven charges of breach of trust.

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