The deputy chief of the Liard First Nation has been charged with sexual assault.

Watson Lake RCMP said this morning Alfred Thomas Chief Sr., 62, will make his first court appearance on the charge during the April 16 circuit court visit to Watson Lake.

He was released from custody under five conditions:

that he have not contact with the complainant;

that he not go to her residence;

that he be under a curfew of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.;

that he abstain from the consumption and possession of alcohol and controlled drugs or substances; and

that he have no unsupervised contact with females under 18.

A report of a assault originally came in at 12:30 p.m. March 1, but the charge wasn't laid until late last week, said Watson Lake RCMP Sgt. John Bennett.

'It was an ongoing investigation,' he said.

As police looked into the case, it was determined an assault had happened on Feb. 24 between a man and woman at the man's home. The two knew each other, and alcohol is believed to have been a factor, police said.

Bennett would not release the age of the complainant because Watson Lake is a small community where publicizing her age may lead to identifying her, he noted.

He did confirm she is an adult.

In a press release early this afternoon, the first nation stated Chief would be taking an unpaid leave of absence effective immediately from his role as deputy chief while the matter is before the courts.

'The Liard First Nation chief and council believe it is in the best interest of their citizens for this step to be taken,' the release states, before noting that because the issue is before the courts no further comments will be made.