Cairns faces additional sex-related charges
St. Catharines philanthropist and businessman Jeff Cairns is facing six new sex-crime charges involving children.
In a Tuesday morning press release, Niagara Regional Police said Cairns is charged with six counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual interference. The latest charges bring the number of sex-related accusations faced by the 60-year-old to 42 and the number of alleged victims to four.
In August 2016, Cairns was charged with 24 sex crimes including sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation connected to three alleged victims.
He was committed to stand trial in December 2017 following a two-day preliminary hearing. That case is still before the courts.
Police said the new charges are the result of an investigation which began in October after “police were contacted by a new complainant which opened the door to further investigation.” “As a result of the new allegations and followup investigation, on Oct. 30, 2018, Jeffery Cairns was arrested.”
Cairns was out on $10,000 bail while his previous charges moved through the courts.
In a St. Catharines bail court on Tuesday, he was released from custody on $20,000 bail.
He must abide by several conditions including staying away
from places where children under 16 are expected to be present such as public parks, swimming areas, school yards and playgrounds.
He also cannot have any communication with males or females under the age of 16.
Information revealed during the bail hearing cannot be made public under a publication ban.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on the latest charges can call the NRP sexual assault unit at 905688-4111 ext. 9989 or 9234.
Cairns is scheduled to return to court Nov. 16 to answer to both the original set of charges and the new charges.
Cairns is president of Charlesway Corp. Ltd., a private investment firm based in St. Catharines, and was a member of the Brock University’s board of trustees.
He resigned from the board in August 2016, a day after his initial arrest.
The Cairns family is prominent in St. Catharines and known for their philanthropic endeavours. They have made significant contributions to Niagara organizations over the years and Cairns’ father, Roy, who died in 2011, donated $6 million to Brock in 2010.
Jeff Cairns made a $500,000 donation in 2014 to FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines.
The Cairns Recital Hall is a 300-seat venue and rehearsal space in the venue.
He was also the former commanding officer of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment.