A Red Deer pastor will be sentenced in the New Year after being found guilty of one count of sexual assault earlier this fall.
Judge Darrell Riemer handed down his verdict in the case of Stan Schalk, 58, in Red Deer’s Provincial Court in September. Sentencing submissions were given on Monday afternoon.
The crown is asking for four to six months of incarceration as well as 12 months probation, while the defense is asking for a conditional discharge.
The offense took place between June 15th-30th, 2015.
The victim, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, was working for Schalk at his residence doing some painting and staining. Court heard the job was offered to her after Schalk learned the victim was in need of financial help.
During the victim’s testimony, she recounted an incident where her and Schalk embraced in his kitchen and he ran his hands down her back and grabbed her buttocks.
The victim testified she told Schalk to not do that again. She also testified about an incident in which Schalk drove her near Delburne without telling her where they were going. She said in that instance, Schalk took her to a favourite spot of his where they had a picnic lunch and where he touched her left breast.
Schalk admitted to the incident happening on the stand, but said the picnic was something that was previously planned between the two and the events following were a case of two people going too far.
In regards to the incident that happened in Schalk’s kitchen where he touched the victim’s buttocks, Riemer said Schalk was evasive and self-serving and that his testimony in relation to that specific incident was not credible.
A victim impact statement was read on Monday by the victim’s mother, who also testified during court proceedings earlier this fall.
“I lost trust in Stan Schalk as a pastor,” she read, adding she is ‘disgusted’ that Schalk abused his position of a pastor. “You can take that up with God.”
Schalk will be sentenced on Jan. 11th in Red Deer Provincial Court.
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
