Trial for man accused of sex offences against minor gets underway in Penticton court

PENTICTON – The trial for a South Okanagan man charged with several sex offences against a minor child began today in Penticton.

The man is facing charges of sexual interference of a person under 16, invitation to sexual touching under 16, two counts of sexual exploitation, and sexual assault.

In opening statements, the Crown said charges stem from a series of incidents between 2011 and August 2012 when the accused is alleged to have participated in a number of inappropriate activities with a male minor while on sleepovers, including an instance of attempted anal sex with the victim, walking in on him while showering and touching of the victim’s genitals.

Crown Prosecutor John Swanson said in opening remarks the victim did not divulge his accusations for some time, eventually divulging details of the incidents to his father in March, 2013.

Neither the accused nor the victim can be named in the trial following a publication ban imposed this morning.

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