CANADA
The Telegram
Barb Sweet
Published on November 08, 2014
The RCMP and social services agencies of the day did not do enough to pursue the investigation of Dr. Stephen James Collins, who was convicted in the 1980s of sexually abusing children, says a lawyer who’s been on the case for several years on behalf of people who say they were Collins’ victims.
St. John’s lawyer Bob Buckingham launched two civil cases. One was settled and the other is still before the courts. He also has several other clients and thinks Collins should face the criminal justice system again.
“(The RCMP) should have gone after him. They should have continued the investigation,” Buckingham said. “And then he does minimal amount of time in jail.”
He said Collins was able to manipulate adults and children into a level of trust in rural Newfoundland because he was a “double god” — both a doctor and an ordained minister. …
The United Church of Canada, named as a second defendant in three civil cases against Collins, has denied liability or responsibility for Collins’ actions in a statement of defence in Buckingham’s civil case that is still before the courts.
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