Sex assault charge stayed

Photo: Facebook

The owner of a Kelowna Jugo Juice entered into a peace bond Monday, after a sex assault charge was dropped.

A sexual assault charge against the owner of a Kelowna Jugo Juice has been stayed, after the Crown agreed to a peace bond rather than going through a criminal trial.

Gary Stajduhar was charged in July 2016 for allegedly forcing himself on an employee inside the Orchard Park store in August 2015.

A former employee told Castanet the incident occurred after hours, and the alleged victim never returned to the store.

Stajduhar's trial was scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, but the matter was resolved when the accused and Crown agreed on a peace bond, related to a lesser charge of fear of injury by another person.

The court found that “reasonable grounds” were satisfied for the fear of injury charge, and a peace bond was an “appropriate" resolution.

While fear of injury is not a criminal offence, and no conviction comes of it, Stajduhar must abide by several conditions for the next year, which include avoiding contact with the complainant.

Dan McLaughlin, communications counsel with the BC Prosecution Service, said the fear of injury charge works as a "preventative remedy," despite the alleged incident having already taken place. 

The Crown dropped the sexual assault charge against Stajduhar as a result of the peace bond.