The accused was charged with historical sexual assaults against a child alleged to have occurred during family visits to a residence between 1999 and 2002.
The complainant alleged repeated sexual touching and multiple incidents of rape when she was between nine and twelve years old.
The accused denied the allegations.
The court applied the W.(D.) framework and assessed credibility, opportunity, and the reliability of delayed and incremental disclosure.
Considering inconsistencies in the complainant’s evidence, lack of corroborative evidence, and the surrounding circumstances affecting plausibility, the court held that the Crown had not proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
