P. Olynik

The accused was charged with sexual assault and touching a person under sixteen for a sexual purpose.

The Crown presented evidence from the complainant, her sister, and their father.

The court found beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was the only adult who went upstairs and entered the complainant's bedroom.

However, due to significant inconsistencies in the child witnesses' testimony, particularly the complainant's cross-examination where she stated she did not feel a touch and only believed she was touched because others said so, the court found a reasonable doubt regarding whether the accused intentionally touched the complainant.

Consequently, the accused was acquitted on both counts.

The accused pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and other related offences stemming from a series of violent, unprovoked assaults on senior citizens in their homes, fueled by methamphetamine intoxication.

Crown and defence jointly submitted a parole ineligibility period of 13 years for the murder convictions.

The judge considered whether this joint submission would bring the administration of justice into disrepute, weighing the horrific nature of the crimes against the certainty gained by avoiding a lengthy trial with uncertain outcomes regarding the accused's mental state and potential for a manslaughter conviction.

The court accepted the joint submission, sentencing the accused to life imprisonment with 13 years parole ineligibility, along with concurrent sentences for the other offences.