By Charles Lefebvre

Former Mountie found guilty of sexual assault, breach of trust

Oct 19, 2018 | 4:45 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A former Bow Island RCMP officer has been found guilty of sexual assault and two counts of breach of trust in connection with a traffic stop near Bow Island three years ago.

Elliot Teed did not have any reaction once the verdict was read Friday afternoon, concluding a week-long, judge-only trial at the Medicine Hat Court of Queen’s Bench. He was told to report to the Medicine Hat Remand Centre following the conclusion of the trial.

Teed, a constable at the time, was charged in 2016, more than one year after the stop occurred outside of Bow Island on February 12, 2015.

The complainant, who cannot be named due to a publication ban, was travelling east and was stopped during a check stop near the town.

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She told officers, including Teed, that marijuana was in her vehicle after they noticed a smell.

She was arrested and patted down twice by Teed. She testified the second patdown was focused on her breasts, saying he touched her inappropriately.

The woman received a 24-hour suspension and was told to park her car near a building.

She also testified Teed returned to her vehicle alone following the checkstop and propositioned her, asking her to get into his car for ride, a remark she interpreted as sexual.

While reading the verdict, Justice Robert Hall acknowledged there were inconsistencies in the complainant’s testimony, including whether or not she was wearing a bra that night, where the car was parked, and whether Teed returned to the car multiple times.

However, Hall noted elements of Teed’s testimony also caused concern to him. He told the court during his decision he didn’t believe a second patdown was necessary, said there was concern there was no video or audio evidence from the vehicle of the stop in question, and added he was concerned Teed went back to the woman’s vehicle alone and was parked there for 20 minutes, according to GPS information presented at the trial.

Hall added he believes beyond a reasonable doubt the incident occurred.

Teed resigned from the RCMP in 2017.

A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Teed’s case will return to Queen’s Bench on December 14th, where a date for sentencing submissions will be set.