CANADA
London Free Press
KELLY PEDRO, Free Press Crime Reporter 2005-08-26 02:16:32
An 82-year-old retired priest, who has been charged in Chatham with sex offences dating back 30 years, is at the centre of a probe by Sarnia police after four similar complaints.
Chatham-Kent police charged Charles Henry Sylvestre of Belle River in July with three counts of indecent assault, one count of rape and one count of sexual intercourse with a female under 14. Rape is a Criminal Code charge that was replaced by sexual assault.
Sarnia police said they have received four to five allegations dating back to the late 1950s and early 1960s involving young females. The complaints were made to police after media reports about the Chatham charges, he said.
"Occasionally we get historical complaints. It is kind of unique," said Const. Bill Baines.
He said investigating a complaint dating back 50 years can be "very difficult."