Nunavut premier's son on trial for sexual assault of 10-year-old girl

It's a sex assault case pitting the testimony of a minor against a man with a famous last name.

The son of the premier of Nunavut was in an Iqaluit courtroom Thursday facing charges of sexual assault and sexual interference.

The complainant, a 10-year-old girl, alleges Ian Taptuna sexually assaulted her. Taptuna says it's all a misunderstanding and he was just tucking her into bed.

Last February after a night of drinking at the Legion, Taptuna went home and on the way to the bathroom wearing nothing but his underwear and a tanktop, noticed there was no blanket covering two young girls who were sleeping in the house.

The girls cannot be identified under a publication ban.

Taptuna admits he was tipsy after consuming nine drinks at the bar. He says he went into the room, picked up a blanket, dusted it off, and tried tucking them in while standing but was having trouble so he knelt down ... something the Crown lawyer Tracy Buffalo called "odd."

What happened next is what has led to his day in court. One of the girls testified she woke up to the smell of alcohol on Taptuna's breath, his hand on her buttocks and his penishanging out of his underwear.

For his part, Taptuna says his elbow may have inadvertently grazed her while tucking her in but there was no touching. He says his penis could have been hanging out but says that's because he was wearing an older pair of underwear after having just done his laundry.

Premier Peter Taptuna's office issued a statement today saying "Like any parent, he is affected by this situation and wants nothing but a fair, just and appropriate process.

"The court procedure will deal with any allegation. He believes that it's important to protect and support the victim and the accused, and we need to respect the justice system. At this time, he requests privacy for the family as they handle these matters. No further comments will made at this time."

The trial continues tomorrow as Justice Beverly Brown is expected to deliver her verdict.