Port Colborne man faces 40 charges

A Port Colborne man faces a total of 40 charges following an investigation into sexual abuse allegations said to have taken place over the course of 20 years.

Earlier this month, a community services worker brought forward concerns of historical sexual and physical abuse to members of the Niagara Regional Police sexual assault unit.

As a result, a 55-year-old man is accused of committing sexual offences, physical abuse and neglect against several victims, most of whom were members of his immediate family, according to a press release from police.

Police spokesperson Stephanie Sabourin said the name of the man facing charges will not be released to protect the identity of victims.

Most of the offences are alleged to have occurred when victims were under the age of 16.

The investigation is ongoing, and police believe they were committed in Port Colborne.

Police say investigators believe there are additional persons in the community who may have been victimized, or who may have witnessed events of interest to the investigation but have not yet come forward.

The accused has been charged with six counts of sexual assault, four counts of sexual interference, four counts of sexual exploitation, four counts of invitation to sexual touching, sexual exploitation of a person with a disability, three counts of incest, four counts of corrupting children, four counts of fail to provide necessaries of life, four counts of forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, four counts of assault, and uttering death threats.