A former employee of the City of Estevan pleaded guilty to an assault charge for an incident that occurred in his office.
Mark Sture was the public works manager for just a few months when the incident occurred and is no longer working at the City following the charges laid by the complainant, a female subordinate. When the 49-year-old married man pleaded guilty to the assault charge, a second one was stayed by the Crown prosecutor.
The Crown went over the circumstances of the assault with presiding Judge Karl Bazin, after pleas were entered. The complainant went to Sture's office, and when she entered, he closed the door behind her. The Crown noted the complainant hadn't said that the meeting was private.
Sture sat down next to her and rubbed his hand on her leg and thigh. She stood up, making an excuse to leave, and he rose as well, standing between her and the door. He then hugged her.
She told him that she didn't want to be hugged and left the office. The next day he sent her a text message apologizing for what happened.
Sture was represented by Greg Wilson, and he said they dispute that Sture touched her leg. He also made it clear that Sture was not a direct superior of the victim, but that there was a level of separation between the two.
He noted that there was a second text message sent to the victim, in which Sture said, "I was acting like a father."
Since the incident, Wilson said that his client has attended counselling for workplace conduct issues.
The prosecution and defence provided a joint submission for the judge's consideration, which was accepted, calling for a six month conditional discharge. Conditions are that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
