The verdict came down in the trial of former Bridgewater Police Chief John Collyer.
Collyer was found guilty of a single count each of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a 17 year-old girl.
However, Justice Mona Lynch stayed the charge of sexual assault citing the Kienapple Decision.
In that case, the Supreme Court ruled an accused cannot be convicted of two offences where they both arise out of substantially the same facts.
In her decision, Justice Lynch recounted the close ties between the complainant’s family and the Collyers, the inappropriate Facebook messages, the loss of Collyer’s blackberry phone, the police investigation and finally the alleged incident.
Justice Lynch says the Crown needed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt or she had to acquit.
While Collyer and the complainant agreed to most of the facts of the case, Collyer consistently denied he ever touched her in a sexual way.
Crown Prosecutor Roland Levesque speaking to reporters following the Collyer decision. October 24, 2019
Crown Prosecutor Roland Levesque was not surprised to see the case boil down to, ‘he said, she said’.
“Most of these trials of sexual assault come down to a credibility issue that, was I guess, to be expected in this case also.”
Justice Lynch believes the messages sent to the girl by Collyer indicate he had a sexual attraction to the complainant.
Justice Lynch indicated she had major issues with the credibility of Collyer’s testimony and his explanations while the complainant’s testimony never wavered.
Levesque says the complainant and her family showed great bravery to come forward.
“They’re in a very small community where they’re confronting one of the persons in that community who has a very high office and has a great, great deal of power.”
John Collyer is scheduled to appear in court again March 4, 2020 for sentencing.
John Collyer his wife and attorney make their way into court to hear the verdict. pic.twitter.com/T59x7aMfXE
— Ed Halverson (@edwardhalverson) October 24, 2019
Reported by: Ed Halverson
Twitter: @edwardhalverson
E-mail: halverson.ed@radioabl.ca
