Rusagonis man acquitted in sex-assault case
Judge finds Evan Sandwith, 21, not guilty after prosecution offered no evidence in light of witnesses’ failure to attend court for trial
A Rusagonis man accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl more than two years ago was acquitted last week after the complainant and other witnesses were a no-show for his trial.
Evan Sandwith, 21, of Noble Court, was scheduled to stand trial before a Court of King’s Bench judge alone, without a jury on two charges, alleging he sexually assaulted a girl and touched her for a sexual purpose in Oromocto between Oct. 29-30, 2020.
However, prosecutor Darlene Blunston asked for an adjournment June 19, the first day of the scheduled trial.
She said three Crown witnesses - including the young complainant - weren’t present at the Burton Courthouse despite being issued summonses to attend to testify.
The girl’s identity is protected by a court-ordered publication ban. She is related to the other witnesses as well, so the Fredericton Independent isn’t naming them either.
Justice Thomas Christie denied the Crown’s request. Consequently, Blunston called no evidence, the judge found Sandwith not guilty on both counts.
Since the witnesses had been served with legally binding summonses, Christie issued warrants of arrest for the three witnesses.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.
Pathetic how they’ll punish victims because they expect them to do what they say but can’t be bothered to issue proper protection for them to feel safe to do so.