THUNDER BAY – A man accused of committing sexual offences against a young girl that took place over a six-year period is standing trial.
The public gallery of a Thunder Bay courtroom was filled on Monday morning for the opening of the trial against an Oliver-Paipoonge man who is charged with one count each of sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, sexual assault and forcible confinement.
The offences, which were allegedly committed between October 2008 and December 2014, relate to a single victim who was between the ages of seven and 13 at the time of the alleged offences.
The complainant, who was the first witness to testify, outlined four alleged incidents that took place on the accused's property in Oliver Paipoonge and one that happened in her family home. While she provided details about those five, she told the court there could have been a total of as many as 15 to 20 sexual incidents.
A publication ban is in place to protect the identity of the complainant, which extends to the identity of the accused.
The allegations were first reported to police in April 2017. The charges against the accused were publicly announced that August.
The accused is also facing three counts of careless storage of a firearm.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Bonnie Warkentin is presiding over the trial, which does not have a jury.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Tuesday and Wednesday.
