CLARENVILLE, NL – A Bonavista man has pleaded guilty to charges of forcible confinement and sexual interference (defined, by the Criminal Code of Canada, as sexual activity with anyone under the age of 16 years old.)
The sexual interference charge spans the period from June 1, 2015 to March 24, 2016, while the confinement charge dates back to March 24, 2016.
Several other charges, including two counts of possessing child pornography, a charge of distributing sexually explicit material to a minor, two counts of child luring and several assault charges were conditionally withdrawn.
The matter was to go to trial before judge and jury at Grand Bank Supreme Court, but following a re-election of the accused's pleas last month, the matter was brought before Clarenville provincial court Jan. 4, when the pleas where entered.
The accused will reappear in Clarenville provincial court for sentencing April 11.
There is a publication ban on identifying the victim. In the interest of protecting the victim's identity, the Packet has decided not to identify the accused.
