Rusagonis man denies sex charges
53-year-old man accused of sexual assault, touching offences against two minors
A Rusagonis man accused of sexually abusing two minors for a decade denied the charges Tuesday, and the case will be back in court this fall to schedule the trial.
The 53-year-old defendant was present in Fredericton provincial court Tuesday, but defence lawyer Emily Cochrane appeared on his behalf.
She elected for her client Tuesday to be tried in provincial court and entered not-guilty pleas to four sex-related charges involving two underage complainants.
The defendant is accused of sexually assaulting two children between Jan. 1, 2012, and Sept. 30, 2022; touching one of them for a sexual purpose between Jan. 1, 2012, and June 22, 2022; and touching the other for a sexual purpose between Jan. 1, 2012, and Aug. 5, 2020, all in the Rusagonis area.
The charges allege offences against underage family members, so the Fredericton Independent isn’t naming the accused so as to protect the identities of the complainants.
Judge Andrew LeMesurier set the case over to Sept. 19, at which time the court will set trial dates.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.