This is an application for directions regarding the application of section 16 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) to a case involving historical sexual offences.
The accused was charged in two separate proceedings: one in youth justice court for offences allegedly committed before turning 18, and one in adult court for offences allegedly committed after turning 18.
The court was asked whether the youth justice court would have jurisdiction over the entire time period if the youth justice court information were amended to cover the entire period spanning the accused's 18th birthday.
The court held that section 16 of the YCJA grants the youth justice court clear jurisdiction over offences alleged to have occurred during a period that includes the date the accused turned 18, regardless of whether the exact timing of the offences can be ascertained.
