Appeal Court says Alberta judge relied on stereotypes in sex assault case
EDMONTON — The Alberta Court of Appeal has overturned the acquittal of a man convicted of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter after finding the trial judge relied on myths and stereotypes around the behaviour of victims.
In a split decision released this week, the three-judge panel ordered a new trial for the 55-year-old man on three counts of sexual assault.
He can’t be named under a publication ban.
During the man’s trial in February 2016, the stepdaughter told Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Terry Clackson that her stepfather regularly assaulted her over six years, starting when she was in Grade 4.