Halifax-area man, 74, convicted of sex crimes after abusing daughter over 3 decades

A 74-year-old man from the Halifax area has been convicted by a Nova Scotia judge for a series of sex offences against his daughter that spanned over three decades. The abuse began when the victim was a young teenager and continued until she was in her late 40s.

Provincial court Judge Elizabeth Buckle delivered her decision, dismissing the father’s denials and labeling his explanations as “completely implausible” and “entirely unbelievable.” She concluded that the woman did not consent to the sexual acts, highlighting the manipulation and coercive control exerted by the father over his daughter due to their familial and financial ties.

During the trial, both the victim and her father testified, with the woman supported by her mother and other family members in the courtroom. The victim’s identity has been protected, and her father’s name has not been disclosed by CBC News.

The victim shared her harrowing experience of the abuse that began in their family home when she was a teenager. The assaults ceased temporarily when her mother left due to her husband’s gambling addiction, but resumed when the daughter sought refuge at her father’s apartment. The abuse persisted for almost two decades until the victim finally reported the crimes to Halifax police.

Describing the father’s behavior as erratic, the judge noted instances of possessiveness and jealousy towards his daughter. Despite her moving out, he continued to pursue her through calls, texts, emails, and unexpected visits, expressing his inability to live without her.

The man adamantly denied the allegations of sexual misconduct and explicit photography, questioning his daughter’s credibility and accusing her of fabrications. However, Buckle expressed serious doubts about his honesty, citing conflicting statements and questionable behavior during the investigation.

The victim initially resisted her father’s advances but eventually succumbed to the ongoing abuse, considering it an inevitable consequence of their troubled relationship. Senior prosecutor Carla Ball emphasized the victim’s ordeal and the father’s manipulative tactics, including coercing her to retract her allegations before the trial.

Following the verdict, the man was found guilty of criminal harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, incest, and breaching his release conditions. He was acquitted of witness intimidation and some sexual offence charges due to legal technicalities. The sentencing will take place at a later date as the man remains in custody.

The case sheds light on the complexities of reporting sexual abuse, including shame, embarrassment, and manipulative tactics used by perpetrators to silence their victims. The conviction serves as a testament to the survivor’s courage in seeking justice and holding her abuser accountable for his heinous actions.