1 total
Credibility flaws and timing conflicts created reasonable doubt in sexual assault trial.
The accused was tried on four sexual-offence counts arising from two alleged incidents involving a young complainant.
The court admitted the complainant's prior video statement after adoption at trial and held that an unproven audio recording of her conversation with a third party was admissible only to the extent she adopted its contents.
Applying the reasonable-doubt and credibility principles governing he-say-she-say cases, the court found multiple material weaknesses in the complainant's chronology and account, including conflicts with travel records and other defence evidence about opportunity.
The Crown failed to prove the offences beyond a reasonable doubt, and acquittals were entered on all counts.
