Man jailed after attacking teenager in downtown area
A man who tried to rape a teenaged girl on the street in downtown Whitehorse this past summer has been sentenced to 21 months in jail.
A man who tried to rape a teenaged girl on the street in downtown Whitehorse this past summer has been sentenced to 21 months in jail.
Last Friday, James Gallan of Whitehorse pleaded guilty to attacking the 15-year-old girl after meeting her on Aug. 4.
That night, the two were drinking with a group of mutual friends behind Whitehorse Elementary School, according to an agreed statement of fact which was read out in the court room.
The girl was "extremely intoxicated” after drinking a 26-ounce bottle of liquor throughout the afternoon and evening.
Gallan, 34, was also drunk, the court heard.
Although the girl's memory of the evening is fogged by the alcohol, she did remember overhearing Gallan telling a friend of hers "he thought she was sexy,” according to the statement.
The group eventually moved to the parking lot behind the Salvation Army building. Shortly before 11 p.m., witnesses saw the two walk away from the group.
The next thing the girl remembers is being on the ground, with Gallan on top of her. He was choking her and telling her to shut up, the court heard.
She screamed and struggled, and Gallan struck her several times in the face.
The girl continued to fight and moments later, Gallan got off of her and ran away.
Witnesses who heard the girl's screams came to her aid and saw Gallan flee the scene.
The girl's pants and underwear were torn off her, the court heard, but she managed to fight off her attacker before he actually penetrated her.
The incident was reported to Whitehorse RCMP that night and both the girl and the witness identified Gallan from a photo lineup.
A warrant was issued for Gallan's arrest.
On Aug. 15, a member of the public recognized Gallan at a local business and called the RCMP. He was arrested without incident, police reported, and held in jail.
He was charged with sexual assault causing bodily harm, sexual interference of a minor and choking in the commission of an offence.
Those charges were dropped last week when Gallan pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of sexual assault.
After hearing Gallan's admission, territorial court Judge Michael Cozens sentenced him to 21 months in jail, giving him six months' credit for the time he has already served.
He also ordered Gallan to give a DNA sample to the national sex offender registry, and slapped him with a lifetime firearms ban.
Comments (13)
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Robert Kuipers on Jan 1, 2010 at 2:53 am
I agree with Anonymous: Francias is unbeatable. 2010 should bring Francias the Pulitzer prize - no wait: Noble prize for literature is the least that should happen. Always well versed! Never biased! Modest! Providing fresh insights! Simply the best. And no job alas - how else could Francias find the time to contemplate and come up with all these insights and perspectives .... Whitehorse Star - any vacancies?
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Brent Tremblay on Dec 31, 2009 at 5:34 pm
WWOOOAAAHHH Stop right there: She is 15 and drank a 26er. She is 15 !!!! Why aren't the parents being charged with child endangermont? Where is the responsibility of this outstanding pillar of the cominity? What charges were levied against her. I do not condone the actions of this animal one bit but where is the culpability in this matter? It takes two, from what I am rading they left together, they drank together and then he goes to jail. I think this is a piss poor job of police work and a less opinion of the parents.
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Tim Howell on Dec 31, 2009 at 11:16 am
Francias, you believe you have greatness?I think you have delusions of adequacy.This is the downfall of all thinkers
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Anonymous on Dec 31, 2009 at 6:01 am
Francias,
Your perspective, even when different from mine(on occasion), is entertaining and histerical. None could fill your shoes.
No means No,
Mosi doesn't compair to Francias. His lack of grammar combined with his spelling errors makes it hard to see the point to his comments. Atleast Francias can articulate his ramblings in a legible manner.
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francias pillman on Dec 29, 2009 at 11:09 am
The new francias? Lol. I bring critical insight and a fresh perspective to your little twisted world called reality. Please don't compare greatness with anything lesser.
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Anonymous on Dec 29, 2009 at 2:03 am
Mosi,
As everyone has already stated, you can't constantly keep tabs on your children no matter how badly you want to. Think back to when you were that age... I bet you never told your parents everything.
So the young lady was hanging out with some shady characters, it happens. It should in no way be seen as her fault as people like that can be real smooth talkers and are skilled at luring youth into their grasp.
What is with the slap on the wrist??? That's ridiculous! Man, we'll lock up a bouncer who was doing his job and then we'll let all the real criminals off with a warning. Our judicial system is such a joke these days.
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Arn Anderson on Dec 23, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Another one in the bag for this judge. Well it must be easy sitting around deciding 'stuff' that doesnt affect you. This "judges" are only here for one thing and that is to make "judgements" on people whom put fear in society by letting them off easy so the clowns of society can give more civil liberties in the name of security.
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No means no on Dec 23, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Mosi - are you trying to achieve the dubious honor of becoming the new Francias? You sound like you have been sniffing too much glue. The notion that this child - yes child - could be an accessory to her own rape is flat out crazy, and a very sad indication of the state of your mind.
It does not matter - ever - what a person does before the assault - no means no.
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anonymous on Dec 23, 2009 at 10:39 am
Mosi: 34 year old ADULT and fifteen year old CHILD.
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mike jacobs on Dec 23, 2009 at 9:38 am
mosi... huh?
Where were her parents during the attack? Obvioulsly your not one yourself. Teenagers will not allow there parents to follow them around at all times of the day/night. Trust me, as a parent of two teenage girls ages 14-15, i know i would love to, but thats not how this world works. We teach them from young the rules of life, what type of people to hang with and so on. We cant keep tabs on them 24/7. So quit blaming the parents, and lets focus on the numbskull who damn near commited this rape. At least the rcmp know his background, you for sure will rest comfortably knowing its a small town, the rcmp will be watching him in full force
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johnjack on Dec 23, 2009 at 3:39 am
What is the name of that stupid judge. Letting him have a warm holliday befare he does it again. Idiot!!!!!!!! should be fired!!!!!!!!
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Carole Lavoie on Dec 23, 2009 at 2:48 am
My question is why the lesser charges? Was he not caught red handed in the act? Why are we plea bargaining with these repeat offenders?
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mosi on Dec 22, 2009 at 11:16 pm
So where does the girls' behaviour play into all of this? Is her bahaviour not indicative of being an 'accessory'? WHERE where her Perents? when this happened? Uh? Parenting skills anyone?