A 50-year-old Prince George man suspected of maintaining a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl has been prohibited from contacting the youth.
The restriction against Anthony Joseph Regenwetter is one of the conditions in a one-year $500 recognizance after allegation, issued Wednesday in Prince George provincial court.
Concern that Regenwetter had been maintaining an inappropriate relationship with the girl was report to police who, in turn, launched an investigation.
Evidence gleaned from comments on social media and the girl's diary, as well as comments from friends, suggested the two were having sex, the court was told.
However, the girl refused to cooperate with investigators and Crown prosecution determined there was not enough evidence to pursue a criminal conviction.
The order also prohibits Regenwetter from contacting the girl's mother as well anyone else under the age of 16 except in the presence of an adult who is aware of the conditions or if he has advance written permission of his bail supervisor.
He is also prohibited from frequenting areas where anyone under 16 tends to congregate - parks, ice rinks, swimming pools - and from using any devices to access the internet or maintaining an internet connection in his home.
Regenwetter must also take any programming related to sexual offence prevention and psychological counselling if ordered to do so by the bail supervisor.
The order is similar to a probation order except Regenwetter will not receive a criminal record and if he violates any of the conditions, he must forfeit $500 rather than face time in jail. Moreover, the standard for issuing a recognizance after allegation is based on the balance of probabilities rather than the higher standard of reasonable doubt.
