A plea for a Chatham-Kent police constable accused of sexual assault is still being negotiated.
Andrew Jaconelli was in Chatham court on Friday for a plea and resolution related to a sexual assault case but the defence said, “a significant issue has arisen that could impact proceedings.”
The case will return to Chatham court on March 30 for a plea and resolution. Jaconelli will either plead guilty on March 30 and get sentenced on that day or plead not guilty and go through a trial.
The constable is charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of assault with a weapon. The alleged incidents happened on different occasions and the charges date back to November 2017 and August 2018. He has been suspended with pay since December 2018.
Pre-trial discussions continued in the judge's chambers in Chatham on Friday for about 20 minutes. Discussions continue to resolve the matter and an out of court update is expected January 30 in London where the judge will be that day.
Jaconelli's lawyer said ongoing discussions to resolve the matter by Friday didn't assist but assured the court the matter can advance promptly.
"We can get to the finish line," said outside counsel Michael Carnegie.
The judge said he will continue to help in the pre-trial discussions so a resolution can come to fruition.
"If we need a trial, great," Justice Stephen J. Fuerth said.
The case has a publication ban in place to protect the victims.