Recent Cases

I represented an individual charged with sexual interference contrary to section 151 of the Criminal Code. The allegation stemmed from an incident alleged to have occurred more than a decade earlier, when the complainant—his biological daughter—was approximately five years old.

Because of the allegation, conditions were placed on Ms. Williamson’s client which included a no-contact condition with her husband and her children. Another condition stopped her from going home. Ms. Williamson’s client was devastated as she believed she was innocent and shouldn’t be removed from her family or her home. However, she worked with Ms. Williamson and took some steps which helped get the conditions removed and eventually the charge was withdrawn.

The case emerged in the context of a toxic and prolonged family breakdown. Following a high-conflict divorce and ongoing custody issues, the complainant disclosed the alleged incident as a teenager. As is often the case in historic allegations, the evidentiary landscape was complex and marked by significant temporal distance, strained familial dynamics, and an absence of physical evidence.

My client was devastated by the charge. The emotional toll was compounded by his fear of incarceration and the severe stigma that accompanies a conviction for a sexual offence, particularly one involving a family member. From the outset, he maintained his innocence and instructed me to proceed to trial.

After electing trial in the Court of King’s Bench, we conducted a preliminary inquiry. This procedural stage proved critical. It provided an opportunity to rigorously test the strength of the Crown’s case and confront key weaknesses, including:

• Unreliable memory recallfrom the complainant, whose statements showed inconsistency in timelines and details;
• Motive to fabricate, given the toxic parental relationship and documented custody battles;
• The absence of corroborating evidence typical of historic cases.

As the preliminary inquiry unfolded, it became increasingly apparent that proceeding to trial would expose the complainant to a grueling cross-examination, potentially retraumatizing her. In light of these considerations, I entered into discussions with the Crown.

Ultimately, I persuaded the prosecutor to agree to a common law peace bond. This resolution achieved several critical objectives:

• Thecharge was withdrawn, resulting in no criminal record for my client;
• This spared both my client and the complainant from having to testify;
• My client avoided the risk of conviction, prison and a SOIRA order while still agreeing to minimal and time-limited conditions typical of peace bonds.

This outcome demonstrates the importance of early case assessment, the strategic value of the preliminary inquiry, and the careful balancing of interests that can be achieved through negotiated resolution. Not every case must go to verdict to secure justice.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a historic sexual offence, our legal team is here to offer experienced and strategic guidance through every stage of the process.