Man, 66, pleads guilty to sexually assaulting three-year-old girl

Reginald Joseph O’Keefe is pictured in court on Tuesday. — Photo by Rosie Gillingham/The Telegram

Published on November 14, 2012; Published on November 14, 2012

Trial began in Newfoundland Supreme Court on Tuesday

Topics :: Health Sciences Centre , Mount Pearl

Reginald Joseph O’Keefe of Mount Pearl halted his own trial in Newfoundland Supreme Court in St. John’s today by pleading guilty to two of the charges against him.

O’Keefe, 66, was on trial for sexually assaulting a three-year-old girl in September 2010.

The trial began on Tuesday and had been expected to continue today, but O'Keefe informed the court of his decision to plead guilty before the start of today's proceedings.

He has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference with a minor. Two other charges were dropped by the Crown.

O’Keefe, who was in court this morning, voluntarily returned to the Health Sciences Centre’s psychiatric ward until 3 p.m. this afternoon when his case will be called again to settle some outstanding matters.

More coverage in Thursday’s Telegram.

Also, see story in today’s Telegram print edition of Tuesday’s proceedings from the trial.