Northside man accused of molesting kids
Donald Ashley MacPherson, 64, of Fredericton, faces charges alleging sexual assaults, touching of two underage complainants within past year while in position of trust
Editor’s note: The defendant in this court report and the journalist covering the case share the same first and last names, but they aren’t related or connected in any way.
A Fredericton man will return to court next month to elect mode of trial and enter pleas after he was charged Tuesday with sexually assaulting two minors in recent months.
Donald Ashley Macpherson, 64, of Canada Street, made his first appearance in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday to answer to six charges alleging sexual offences against children.
The first set of charges alleges he sexually assaulted a minor, touched that child for a sexual purpose, and touched the child sexually while in a position of trust or authority, all between Oct. 1 and Jan. 1 in Fredericton.
The second set of three counts alleges the same offences, but against a second underage complainant between Jan. 1 and March 1, again in Fredericton.
Crown prosecutor Gwynne Hearn asked the court to impose a publication ban on information that would identify the complainants, and Judge Scott Brittain imposed the ban as requested.
Duty counsel Melinda Ponting-Moore said the defendant was seeking an adjournment so he could get disclosure of the Crown file and seek counsel, perhaps through an application for legal aid.
Brittain adjourned the case for election of mode of trial and pleas to July 11.
He also reminded Macpherson he’s subject to the conditions of a police undertaking, the conditions of which include no contact with the complainants, and to stay away from their homes and schools.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.