The accused was charged with multiple counts of sexual interference and sexual assault involving four complainants, his nieces, during overnight visits at his residence between 2002 and 2010.
The complainants described repeated incidents of sexual touching occurring when they were children and disclosed the abuse years later to a school guidance counsellor, leading to a police investigation.
The defence alleged collusion and fabrication motivated by family disputes and allegations of elder abuse.
The court assessed credibility using the W.(D.) framework and accepted the complainants’ evidence as credible and consistent on material facts despite peripheral inconsistencies attributable to youth and the passage of time.
The accused’s denial and supporting defence evidence were rejected.
The Crown proved the offences beyond a reasonable doubt.
