No-show witness gets discharge for contempt

Evan Sandwith, 22, of Rusagonis, acquitted of sexual assault, sexual touching last summer after teenage complainant, parents ignored summonses to testify at King’s Bench trial

A 17-year-old girl who failed to attend court last summer to testify against the man she alleged had sexually assaulted her was convicted this week of contempt of court, but was released without penalty.

Evan Sandwith, 22, of Noble Court in Rusagonis, had been scheduled to stand trial in the Court of King’s Bench at the Burton Courthouse on June 19 on charges of sexual assault and sexual interference, alleged to have occurred in Oromocto between Oct. 29-30, 2020.

But court heard at that time that three key Crown witnesses - the teenage girl identified as the complainant, and her parents - weren’t present as required.