A former Yellowknife gymnastics coach, already convicted of sending a photo of his private parts on Snapchat to one of his gymnasts, has had a Charter of Rights and Freedoms hearing postponed.
50-year-old Ricky Lee Sutherland was a no-show in court Tuesday after his lawyer explained to the judge that Sutherland is dealing with a death in the family.
He is appealing the mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail for child luring and providing sexually explicit material to a child.
Sutherland is expected to argue it amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
The maximum sentence is 14 years in prison.
Sutherland, who now lives in Ontario, pleaded guilty just before his trial was to begin in May.
His victim was under 18 years old when Sutherland sent her the photo and messages in a failed attempt to lure her into sending him sexually explicit photos of herself.
Sutherland has been ordered to appear in court on July 29 when the hearing is to be held.
The judge said she’d rule on ther charter application by August 2 and plans on sentencing him on August 19.
