Seventh person, 14, charged in 'brutal' sexual assault

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Seven people, all under the age of 20, have been charged and one person remains in hospital after a sexual assault that police are calling “brutal” of a male youth in Prince George earlier last week week.

RCMP received an anonymous call January 7 of a male youth laying in a snow bank and that he may have been assaulted.

Police, along with BC Ambulance Service personnel and Prince George Fire/Rescue crews found the boy behind an apartment building in the 1600 block of Juniper Street. He was taken to hospital.

Police say the boy was a victim of an aggravated assault and aggravated sexual assault. Their investigation led them to a second boy who had been assaulted.

Officers from the Prince George RCMP’s Serous Crime Section were called in to investigate.

During the next two days, investigators obtained five search warrants and arrested six people thought to be involved in the serious offences.

Hayden Lee Alwood, 18, Mercedes Rae Jewett, 20, three male youths ages 15, 17, and 17 and one female youth aged 15, were charged with: Aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm, and two counts of unlawful confinement.

On Saturday police arrested 14-year-old youth in connection with the incident and have charged him with aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, and unlawful confinement.

Police have determined that the victims were targeted and lured to the apartment building where they were assaulted by a group consisting of both youths and young adults.

“This is a very disturbing investigation” said Cpl. Craig Douglass, Media Liaison Officer for the Prince George RCMP.  “We will do everything we can to bring those responsible to justice.”

One victim remains in hospital in serious but stable condition.

"This investigation continues to be a priority for this detachment," Douglass said. "We urge anyone that may have information, to please call the detachment."