Robert Caldwell of Vernon.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/RCMP
January 18, 2023 - 11:30 AM
A Vernon man charged with sexually assaulting a woman last summer has avoided another criminal conviction on his record and has instead agreed to a restraining order.
Elden Robert Caldwell, born 1992, was charged in June 2022 with sexual assault.
Crown prosecutors described the situation as a sexual encounter with a woman that went past the point where she was comfortable.
At the Vernon courthouse, Jan. 16, Caldwell stuck with his not guilty plea and instead accepted a peace bond whereby he has to stay away from the victim.
No other details regarding the sexual assault were given in court.
Provided Caldwell adheres to the terms of the peace bond for the next 12 months he'll avoid adding sexual assault to his already lengthy criminal record.
Last August, Vernon RCMP put out a media release asking for the public's help to find Caldwell.
He was arrested the following day and charged with obstructing a police officer, being in a house without a lawful excuse and carrying bear spray.
Caldwell is currently in custody waiting to go to trial on these charges, and a charge of assault causing bodily harm that dates back to earlier August 2022.
Caldwell previously spent 18 months in jail after being found guilty of invitation to sexual touching with someone under 16 years old in 2020.
Caldwell's criminal record dates back more than a decade. He'd previously been charged with break and enter, assault with a weapon, providing false or misleading information to police, and driving while suspended.
He's also used several aliases over the years including Robert Riley and Duell Donaldson.
Caldwell is scheduled for trial, Jan. 30, on the assault causing bodily harm charge.
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