Burnt Church man's sex assault case put off

A 29-year-old man from the Esgenoopetitj First Nation in northeastern New Brunswick has been given two weeks to consult a lawyer before entering a plea on sexual assault charges.

Curtis Bonnell appeared in Miramichi provincial court Monday byvideo conference from the Moncton Detention Centre in connection with four charges, including sexual assault, unlawful confinement and resisting arrest.

The 17-year-old female victim has been identified only as MAWS.

Bonnelllooked down at the table in front of him and told Justice John Friel that he had not consulted a lawyer and had not received the paperwork necessary to apply for legal aid.

The accused said he was not ready to enter a plea and Friel agreed to give him until Dec. 7 to find a lawyer. Bonnell will remain in police custody until then.

Curtis Bonnell is the cousin of Hilary Bonnell, the 16-year-old who went missing in September from the Esgenoopetitj First Nation, commonly known as Burnt Church. Her body was recently found in a wooded area near Tracadie-Sheila.

RCMP have said they have a suspect in custody and charges are pending in the 16-year-old's case.

They have not linked Curtis Bonnell to his cousin's disappearance.

On Monday, the Miramichi courtroom was packed with members of the Bonnell family, who said the nature of the charges against the accused are unsettling for the community.

Hilary's mother, Pamela Fillier, said the 17-year-old victim in the sexual assault case was a friend of her daughter's and that she was in court to speak out for all victims.

"I will help you like you were my very own child. I give you my word," she said. "If someone is hurting you, please, please tell me, I'll help you.

"The way that I wanted my little girl helped, I'll help you."