Witness stand in Court of Queen's Bench Courtroom, Lethbridge

By Lara Fominoff

Trial continues

Character witnesses called to testify for defence in senior citizen’s sex assault trial

Jun 7, 2019 | 4:12 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – About half a dozen witnesses were called to the stand in Court of Queen’s Bench Friday, June 7, to testify what they knew about the reputation of a 75-year-old man, charged with several sex-related offences.

Those who testified included local town board members, a small-town mayor, a health care worker, bus driver and farmers. Most said they had either worked directly with or had closely known those who had worked with the senior for many years.

They described him as “an absolute gentleman” and hardworking; someone with integrity who would lend a hand for most community minded events whenever he was needed. They confirmed that he had worked at the town’s civic centre in a janitorial capacity, and as a maintenance worker at a local campground.

At one point, defence lawyer Greg White hoped to have the man’s 2017 income tax returns entered as evidence, and the person who prepared them was to testify as to how much money the 75-year-old and his wide earned.

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Crown lawyer Lisa Weich successfully argued to the judge the documents had not been independently researched, nor did they show whether the man had any other savings or income that may not have been reported. The judge accepted the argument and told the defense he would have to research the law further.

Earlier in the trial, the alleged victim testified that she was paid between $50 and $100 for sexual services she performed, depending on what they were. She also said she may have had sexual relations with the man around 50 times.

The man’s two sons were also called upon to testify. One son told the court he had worked as a town maintenance person, and that he had reason to pass the home where the young woman lived on several occasions to collect garbage, fix water pipe breaks or to walk his dog. When White asked whether he was ever mistaken for his father he replied, “since I was 16-years-old.”

The final person to testify for the defence on Friday was a man who had stayed at the town campground in July and August 2017. He said that contrary to the alleged victim’s testimony, he had seen her performing duties including cleaning the women’s washroom on one occasion and picking up leaves and branches after windstorms at the campground with the accused two other occasions.

However, Weich also asked whether the man had seen for himself the young woman working with the 75-year-old when they went away together in his vehicle. “She would tell us we’re going to do a cleanup of branches, etc.” said the man.

The trial, which began on April 29 and lasted four days, was then once again adjourned because additional time for the defense and closing arguments would also be required.

The alleged victim, who is now 19 years old, testified earlier in the trial that the senior citizen began touching her inappropriately while working for him and that it escalated to oral sex and vaginal sex. Her mother told the court the accused would often visit the family home uninvited and would want to know where the young girl was and with whom.

The accused in the case can not be named because it may identify the alleged victim, who was also under the age of 18 at the time. However, he is facing nine charges, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation, obtaining sexual services, threats causing death, harassment and forgery related charges.

The alleged offences occurred in a small southern Alberta town between 2013 and 2017 when the alleged female victim was between the ages of 13 and 17.