City man accused of sexually abusing daughter
Fredericton father faces indictable charges alleging recent offences against underage girl
A Fredericton man will return to court next month to elect mode of trial and enter pleas on allegations of sexually abusing his underage daughter.
The 41-year-old defendant wasn’t present in Fredericton provincial court when his case was called Friday, but defence lawyer Spencer MacInnis appeared on his behalf.
The accused faces indictable charges of sexually assaulting his daughter, who was under the age of 16 at the time, and touching her for a sexual purpose between Dec. 1, 2022, and Aug. 1.
Crown prosecutor Geoffrey Hutchin asked for a publication ban on information that would tend to identify the young complainant, and Judge Mélanie Poirier LeBlanc made that order.
Given the relationship between the accused and the girl, the Fredericton Independent isn’t naming the defendant so as to comply with the order.
MacInnis said she’s yet to receive disclosure of the Crown file, and Hutchin explained it appears a procedural hiccup somehow prevented the disclosure from reaching the prosecutors’ office.
He said the file should be available soon.
MacInnis requested a five-week adjournment, noting she needed time to receive the file, review the material and meet with her client.
Poirier LeBlanc set the case over to Feb. 23 for election of mode of trial and pleas.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.