WARNING: This article contains graphic details heard in court that may not be suitable for some readers.
A 48-year-old man has been found guilty of sexual assault against a young girl in Midland.
Superior Court Justice Mary Vallee read out her verdict in a Barrie courtroom, finding the man guilty.
A publication ban prohibits publishing any details that could identify the victim or witnesses, as is standard in cases involving sexual assault.
Court heard details of four incidents where the man forced himself on the victim at two residences in Midland, in 2021 and 2022, which included groping and twice orally assaulting the young girl, who was 11 at the time.
Court also heard details of how attending a workshop designed to help young people deal with stress and other potential dangers made the victim realize she had been assaulted. A conversation with an official followed and she then reported the incidents to police.
Vallee, while acknowledging some of the victim’s testimony was at times inconsistent on secondary details, said she found her to be reliable.
“Her evidence is consistent with her police statement,” Vallee said.
“She presented her evidence in a matter-of-fact way ... (with) no motive to lie.”
By contrast, Vallee had significant issues with the testimony of the accused and other witnesses called in his defence.
“(His testimony) was an attempt to distance himself from the allegations,” she said in reference to the man’s evidence that he was never alone with the victim.
“The defendant was evasive in some of his answers.”
The case returns to court on Jan. 29 for sentencing submissions.
