One among seven girls who’ve accused a person of sexual assault says she was attempting to depart the intercourse commerce when he approached her on the road and supplied her development work.
The girl, who can’t be recognized due to a publication ban, testified she obtained within the man’s automotive and went with him to a rural property, the place she says he attacked her.
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Richard Robert Mantha, who’s 59, faces 20 expenses that embrace kidnapping, threats inflicting bodily hurt, sexual assault with a weapon and administering a noxious substance.
He was denied bail final summer season and has been in custody since he was arrested in April 2023.
Mantha, who has ties to Quebec, has requested a French-language trial, which is comparatively uncommon in Alberta’s provincial courts however legally required.
That trial started Friday morning with the primary witness, whose English testimony was being interpreted into French for Mantha as wanted.
Justice Judith Shrier of the Alberta Court docket of Justice determined earlier on Friday to proceed with a single trial.
Mantha’s lawyer had requested for the case to be break up into seven trials and that software was heard on Wednesday.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
