Police charge man with sexual assault in 2023 incident

We have charged a man with sexual assault in relation to an incident that occurred in January 2023.

On Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, the victim was at Cowboys Dance Hall, located at 421 12 Ave. S.E., where it is believed she met a man who was previously unknown to her.

A short time later, the man took the victim to a nearby hotel in a taxi, where it is alleged he rented a room and sexually assaulted her.

The victim left the hotel and later reported the incident to police.

As a result, we have charged Ali Ayyaz CHATHA, 34, of Calgary with one count of sexual assault.

He will next appear in court on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

“We investigate all sexual offences that are reported to us and take several investigative steps to speak to witnesses, collect and process evidence, including DNA analysis, prior to laying charges,” says Staff Sergeant Tom Hanson of the Calgary Police Service Sexual Assault Investigative Unit. “These types of crimes can be extremely personal and sensitive, and I want to thank the victim for coming forward to police and reporting this incident to us.”

Sexual contact with a person is never acceptable without clear, voluntary and specific consent.

·       Consent means agreeing to sexual activity, including kissing, touching or intercourse with another person.

·       Consent must be given freely by both parties.

·       Consent requires a conscious, operating mind, capable of granting, revoking or withholding consent to any sexual act.

·       People are free to revoke consent at any time, at which point the unconsented sexual act must immediately stop.

There is no statute of limitations on sexual assault offences in Canada, and anyone who believes they are a victim of sexual assault is encouraged to report it, even if many years have passed since the incident.

Anyone with information about this incident or similar incidents is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through either of the following methods:

TALK:1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.crimestoppers.org

APP: P3 Tips  

CA23020156/4931