A Surrey man charged in a violent sexual assault of a teen in 2010 was found guilty in B.C. Supreme Court Friday (Feb. 22) morning.
Jeremy Lee Voakes, 25, was convicted by Justice John Truscott of sexual assault with a weapon and assault. He was acquitted on a third charge of unlawful confinement.
During the January trial, the court heard that Voakes dragged a young woman into his bedroom, where he hit her, called her degrading names and threatened her with a metal pole before forcing her to have sex.
The victim, who is now 20 and cannot be identified under a court-ordered publication ban, said Voakes struck her with his hand every time she refused his demands. She testified he only let her leave when she said a friend was expecting her and would come looking for her.
It was that friend who convinced her to call police. Police photos described in court documented bruises on the victim’s head, arms and legs that she said were inflicted by Voakes that day.
Last September, Voakes was the subject of a Surrey RCMP manhunt due to an outstanding warrant on the sex assault charges. He has faced several assault-related charges in the past.
Voakes’ next court appearance is scheduled for April 4 when a date for sentencing will be set.
