Girl testifies at N.W.T. MLA's sexual assault trial

A teenage girl who is accusing Northwest Territories MLA Norman Yakeleya of sexually assaulting her told a judge Monday that Yakeleya hadtouched her inappropriately nearly two years ago.

Yakeleya, the MLA for Sahtu, was charged in July 2008 in relation to an alleged assault dating back to March 2007 in Tulita, N.W.T.

Yakeleya has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The teen, whose identity is protected by a publication ban,took the standas Yakeleya's judge-onlytrial began Monday afternoon in Norman Wells, N.W.T.

Testifying from behind a screen as she said she didn't want to make eye contact with her accused the girl told the court that Yakeleya had entered her bedroom, climbed into bed, and touched her between her legs.

The girl, who was 14 years old at the time, said she then rolled away and the incident ended at that point.

The girltestified she did not go to RCMP right away because she was scared. When the Crown asked her what she was scared of, the girl talked about Yakeleya's job as an MLA.

During cross-examination, Yakeleya's lawyer said there were inconsistencies between the girl's testimony and her original version of events.

The teen was one of three Crown witnesses who testified on Monday.

After the last Crown witness testifies on Tuesday morning, the defence will decide what witnesses it intends to call.

When asked outside court if he intends to testify, Yakeleya said he and his lawyer would decide that on Tuesday.

Four days have been set aside for the trial, but prosecutor Janice Walshtold CBC News thatit could wrap up by Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning because no jury is involved.