Saskatchewan man charged in sex-assault, robbery case near B.C. university

VICTORIA – A Saskatchewan man is accused of forcing his way into the home of two young women on Vancouver Island and sexually assaulted one of them earlier this year.

Saanich police allege 43-year-old David Hope of Saskatoon then herded the women in their early 20s to a nearby bank and forced them to withdraw money before running off with the cash.

Acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie says is alleged that Hope got inside the women’s apartment near the University of Victoria by banging on the glass door, then muscling his way in when someone answered on Jan. 27.

Police say the two women did not know the man, who has family on Vancouver Island.

Hope has been charged with break and enter, sexual assault, two counts of robbery and two counts of forcible confinement.

He was flown to Vancouver Island from Saskatoon and was scheduled to appear in Victoria court Thursday.

“Saanich has always been a safe place to live,” says Leslie.

“I know that our community will always rally together not only to continue to make it a safe place to live but a warm and welcoming place to live as well.”