A 46-year-old Prince George man went on trial on Wednesday, July 9 in BC Supreme Court, accused of sexual assault and touching a person under 16 for a sexual purpose.
Joseph Alexander Child has pleaded not guilty to committing the offences almost five years ago while a minor was sleeping over at his basement suite near Spruceland Mall. The Crown must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Michael Stephens and a jury of 12 began the trial late in the afternoon in the Prince George courthouse, after almost three days of pretrial motions and arguments over admissibility of evidence.
The identities of the victim and witnesses are protected by a publication ban.
In his opening statement to the jury, Crown prosecutor Rodney Withall said “you will hear (from the victim, who) was only 14 years old at the time, describe a series of events that began with sexual touching of a child, progress to sexual intercourse.
“Ultimately, you will decide what the facts are and the judge can provide to you with guidance on the law. As you heard, Mr. Child is charged with two separate offences that arise from the same series of acts during the same period of time, primarily the events on the morning of August 11, 2020,” Withall said.
Withall also read from a list of admitted facts.
The victim reported the incident to the Prince George RCMP on Aug. 12, 2020 and, a day later, was examined by a doctor.
In spring 2021, a forensic specialist confirmed presence of male DNA on a vaginal swab. A blood sample was taken from Child in 2023 after a warrant. The RCMP lab concluded the DNA profiles matched.
“Based on this, neither the accused nor any of his paternal male relatives can be excluded as the donor,” Withall said.
The trial continues.
