REGINA – A local family photographer will have to wait nearly two months to learn what penalty awaits him in court after being found guilty of sexual assault in July.
Three years ago, Brent O. Nerenberg, 53, had posted ads on social media in search of models under his business name of BN Photography. The now 29-year-old complainant answered that ad, finding herself at Nerenberg’s home-based studio in September, 2020. According to Judge Douglas Kovach’s decision in Regina Provincial Court, the two met in Nerenberg’s garage (which had been converted into a studio space) at his north Regina home.
In the complainant’s evidence, she detailed how the supposed boudoir photo session quickly turned to sexual touching and sexual assault by Nerenberg. She ended the session early, and contacted police about the incident.
In his testimony at trial, Nerenberg denied any such behaviour occurred, but had attempted contacting the complainant after the event via text message.
In his last message to the complainant, Nerenberg said, “it has been two weeks and I haven’t heard back from you. So let’s both go our separate ways and forget this entire incident occurred. To that end, I will delete all of the photos and move on.”
On July 29, 2022, police seized computers and electronic devices belonging to Nerenberg and were able to locate images from the photo session in question.
In Judge Kovach’s decision on July 17, he noted the complainant’s evidence was credible and reliable.
“While I have some difficulty understanding some of the complainant’s actions, I do not believe she has been untruthful,” he noted, adding later that “…the accused’s story does not logically flow and does not fit with the overall narrative.”
Judge Kovach concluded that Nerenberg did indeed touch the complainant’s breasts and inserted a dildo into her vagina as stated, finding the man guilty of sexual assault.
Sentencing was scheduled this afternoon in Regina Provincial Court, however defence counsel noted not having received a pre-sentence report. The PSR was re-ordered, with Nerenberg slated to return for sentencing in court on Oct. 23.
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