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Trial dates have been set for John Pontes, the owner of the Northwoods Inn and Suites in Saskatoon, just two months after he was charged with sexual assault and sexual extortion.

During his court appearance Tuesday in Saskatoon provincial court, Pontes, 74, elected to be tried by a provincial court judge, which means he will not have a preliminary hearing. His trial is slated to run Sept. 10-11, 2018.

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Pontes was charged in November with three counts of sexual assault, two counts of extortion, one count of obtaining sexual service for consideration and one count of uttering death threats. The charges involve alleged incidents at his motel, including extorting tenants for sexual favours.

Photo by Gord Waldner / The StarPhoenix

The business owner was released on bail two days after his arrest and remains out of custody. He will be represented by defence council out of Alberta.

In 2014, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission awarded almost $45,000 to an ex-employee of the Northwoods Inn who was sexually harassed by Pontes.

bmcadam@postmedia.com

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