February 29, 2012

In July 2011 the Port Moody Police Department Major Crime section responded to a report that a 12 year old girl had been the victim of sexual interference at the hands of her mother’s live-in boyfriend.

 

In July 2011 the Port Moody Police Department Major Crime section responded to a report that a 12 year old girl had been the victim of sexual interference at the hands of her mother’s live-in boyfriend.

 

The suspect, a 47 year old male from Port Moody, was arrested shortly after and released on a Promise to Appear with a court date in September and an undertaking with various conditions. After the suspect failed to attend court, a BC wide warrant for his arrest was issued. Using various investigative techniques, Detectives from the PMPD were able to locate an address for the accused in St. Thomas Ontario. Upon determining that the accused was in Ontario and had apparently fled BC, the Port Moody Police sought the assistance of Crown Counsel and had the warrant extended Canada wide.

Following the expansion of the warrant, the St. Thomas Police attended the address only to discover that the suspect had recently moved. The St. Thomas Police located a new address, updated the PMPD Detectives and contacted the Ontario Provincial Police. The OPP located and arrested the accused in Elgin County Ontario.
The accused was remanded into custody. After discussions between Crown Counsel and the accused’s legal counsel, it was determined that the charges would be waived to Ontario and the accused would plead guilty. The accused is currently out on a Recognizance while he awaits sentencing.

Out of consideration for the victim, the Port Moody Police will not be releasing the name of the suspect at this time.

Unfortunately cases like this are not uncommon. Recent Canadian studies estimate that 1 in 4 North American women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Of these victims, 60% are under the age of 17 and 80% of assailants are friends or family of the victim (www.sexassaults.ca/statistics.htm).

The Port Moody Police Department recognizes that sexual abuse is a serious and often underreported crime in our society. Given the personal, physical and psychological toll that sexually based crimes have on their victims, files of this nature are taken very seriously by the Police.
 

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual assault, please contact your local Police department.