A B.C. couple connected to charges of bestiality in front of children is headed to a B.C. Supreme Court judge and jury trial.
A 79-year-old man has been charged with engaging in acts of bestiality in front of two children under the age of 14.
The alleged events are said to have happened between Aug. 13, 1997 and Aug. 13, 1999, in Vancouver.
It's further alleged the man committed similar acts from April 21, 1998 to April 21, 2002, in the presence of another person under 14 years. It's also alleged that the man, between Aug. 13, 1997 and Aug. 13, 2002, sexually assaulted the same young person.
A 69-year-old woman of the same last name is alleged to have sexually assaulted another person under 14 from Oct. 4, 1998 to Sept. 7, 1999. She is alleged to have invited, counselled or incited that person to touch the man for a sexual purpose in that same time period.
The cases are proceeding by indictment, meaning the alleged offences are considered serious.
Court records said the accused are not entitled to a preliminary inquiry.
The case has been transferred to B.C. Supreme Court as of Feb. 8.
However, documents note the two were scheduled for a March 19 appearance in Vancouver Provincial Court.
They attended court but were not on the day’s docket.
The next court appearance is March 27 in B.C. Supreme Court for the purpose of fixing trial dates.
Court notes from Oct. 6, 2023 indicate the court considered the provision of an amicus — or friend of the court — to assist the two as they did not want lawyers.
During one appearance, the man said he did not need one as his faith would protect him.
“The accused do not appreciate the nature of the proceedings,” the court file said. “Requires consideration of the appointment of an amicus.”
The Criminal Code of Canada defines bestiality as “any contact, for a sexual purpose, with an animal.”
The code further says that anyone who commits bestiality in the presence of a person under the age of 16 years, or who incites a person under 16 to commit bestiality, is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years.
The pair made their first appearance in Vancouver Provincial Court on May 18.
A publication ban prohibits the publication of any information that could identify a complainant or witness in the case.
Glacier Media has chosen not to name the accused as it is not known if that would identify the children.
