UPDATE Jan. 29
A new sentencing date has been set for Stephen Witvoet.
The Vernon man plead guilty in October to nine counts of sexual assault involving female patients at his physiotherapy practice.
Crown and defence lawyers were in court Wednesday to set a date for the judge’s decision on sentence.
It will be on March 30 at 9:30 a.m. in Vernon Provincial Court.
Jan. 28 story
Whether or not a judge accepts a community sentence for a Vernon physiotherapist who pleaded guilty to nine counts of sex assault remains unknown as the case nears its conclusion.
Crown and defence lawyers have jointly recommended an 18-month conditional sentence for Stephen Witvoet, 47, including six months of house arrest, followed by two years of probation.
Provincial court Judge Jeremy Guild has delayed the sentencing process several times since last fall to ensure the joint submission is backed up by case law.
The parties were in Vernon court Monday where Guild asked further questions of defence lawyer Glenn Verdurmen and Crown prosecutor Juan O’Quinn.
After hearing both sides on the issue, Guild is now apparently ready to pass sentence.
“Submissions were completed [Monday] and the matter was adjourned to fix a date for the judge to give his decision,” Dan McLaughlin of the B.C. Prosecution Service said.
A date for that will be set in court Wednesday Jan. 28.
Witvoet entered guilty pleas in court Oct. 28, 2019 to nine counts of sexual assault involving female patients at his Thrive Physiotherapy clinic between 2009 and 2016.
The Crown said there was a total of 16 female complainants. The youngest was 18 at the time and the oldest was 53.
Stays of proceedings were issued in the other cases.
