Man facing sex charges elects trial by judge in Court of Queen’s Bench

A 49-year-old Raymond man facing charges relating to alleged sex offences 30 years ago has chosen to have his adult charges tried by a judge in Court of Queen’s Bench.

An agent for the man’s lawyer told court Wednesday that the accused wants to be tried by the higher court and have a preliminary hearing, which typically determines whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

The accused, who can’t be identified under a court-ordered publication ban, is charged in adult court with single counts of invitation to sexual touching and sexual interference. He also faces 18 sex-related charges in youth court, where his lawyer had also hoped Wednesday to elect QB trial with a preliminary hearing.

However, court was told the process for electing and entering pleas in youth court may differ from adult court and the matter was adjourned to May 9 for clarification. The accused’s adult charges were adjourned to the same day, when a date may be set for the preliminary hearing.

In January, Picture Butte RCMP charged the accused with sexual interference following an investigation into allegations of sexual assaults in the 1980s and 1990s involving women.

In September 2016, RCMP were contacted by a woman who said she had been sexually abused as a child by a man known to her. The Picture Butte RCMP began an investigation into the allegations and three additional women came forward to report they had been similarily assaulted.