The accused was tried on historical sexual offence allegations involving repeated touching of a grandchild over many years, spanning both pre- and post-age-14 conduct.
The court found the complainant credible and largely reliable, rejected the defence theory that the allegations were fabricated over inheritance-related resentment, and held that the Crown's midtrial witness preparation of family witnesses did not amount to an abuse of process.
Applying the recent fabrication exception and the established framework for sexual assault, the court concluded that some alleged incidents left a reasonable doubt but that two incidents of sexual interference and multiple incidents of sexual assault were proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Convictions were entered on both counts.
