An Edmonton musician was put behind bars today for sexually assaulting at knifepoint a stranded woman who had approached him and asked for money.

Christopher John Lee, 25, was sentenced to two years in jail, followed by 18 months probation, for convictions of sexual assault with a weapon and unlawful confinement.

“This is a very serious offence,” said Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Myra Bielby, noting the victim, who was in her 30s, was frightened by the weapon and violence used and suffered both physical and psychological injuries.

Bielby ordered Lee to provide a DNA sample for the national DNA databank and placed him on the national sex offender registry for 20 years. As well, she recommended he take the Phoenix sex offender treatment program.

Lee, a member of a local hip hop group and soon-to-be father with his girlfriend, was convicted in April of the Nov. 8, 2006, sex assault.

Court heard the victim had approached Lee and another man outside a west-end pub about 2:30 a.m. and asked for some money because she was stranded.

Lee gave her some money and then pulled out a knife and forced her to go behind a nearby school and perform oral sex on him.

She managed to eventually escape and ran to a nearby home to seek help. Both the homeowner and police described her as bleeding from her knees and distraught.

Lee denied the sex attack while testifying in his own defence at trial, but Bielby rejected his evidence.

The judge also did not give much weight to Lee’s statement that he was “sorry” for what had happened, calling him “immature” and without empathy for the victim.

Lee said today he still believes in his heart that he is innocent.

“I just ask you for mercy,” he said. “I’m not that kind of person.”