Latest news with #CourtofKing'sBench
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Crown seeks 20 years for convicted sex offender
Prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison sentence for a small business owner convicted of sexually exploiting two vulnerable 13-year-old girls, one of whom later died of a drug overdose. Michael Bruce, 44, was found guilty after trial last year of 11 sex-related offences, including luring, in connection to the two girls as well as a then-19-year-old woman. 'I learned first-hand the damage predators inflict on their prey,' the deceased girl's grandmother wrote in a victim impact statement that was read out in court Wednesday. 'We as a society, as adults, should be protecting our children against this degrading psychological terror,' the woman said. 'It's been a long time coming, but the day is finally here for all those children — justice.' Court heard evidence at trial that Bruce, who owns and operates an HVAC business, had contacted a woman who lived in the Charles Walk area, in the North End, in April 2022 to arrange to have sex with her in exchange for work he had completed. The woman instead provided him with contact details for a 13-year-old girl. Bruce contacted the girl over Facebook and arranged to have sex with her in his pickup truck in exchange for $20 and a case of Twisted Tea alcoholic drinks. The girl's grandmother learned about the sexual assault and contacted police. The girl provided two video statements but later died as the result of a drug overdose. Court heard testimony Bruce had sex with the second 13-year-old girl, who was in foster care, as payment for giving her a ride home. The adult victim testified Bruce sexually assaulted her in his truck when she was intoxicated and slipping in and out of consciousness. Bruce testified he believed the first girl was 17 years old and claimed the sex was consensual, as was the sex with the adult victim. He denied having sex with the second 13-year-old girl. Bruce admitted at trial when one of the girls threatened to report him to police, he told her: 'Who are they going to believe — a gang member or a homeowner?' Bruce was arrested in June 2022, but not charged until the following September after Winnipeg police completed a lengthy analysis of his electronic devices. 'It is impossible to quantify… the level of harm these offences will have on these (victims), their families, and the community at large,' Crown attorney Kellie Stashko told Court of King's Bench Justice Sadie Bond on Wednesday. Bruce 'recognized their vulnerability and intentionally exploited them for his own selfish desires,' Stashko said. A forensic psychiatric report and presentence report prepared for court said Bruce – who admits to a long history of 'transactional' sex with women both in and out of the sex trade — continues to minimize his actions and their effect on the victims. 'There is really nothing to suggest this offender understands his risk factors in any way,' Stashko said. Stashko said a 20-year prison sentence was 'just and appropriate' and the minimum period necessary to satisfy the sentencing principals of denunciation and deterrence. 'These were not crimes of opportunity… every step he took was a deliberate choice, not an error in judgment,' Stashko said. Defence lawyer Mike Cook urged the judge to sentence Bruce to just six years in prison, describing him as a loving father of two and community-oriented businessman who has bought and renovated several rental properties to open up housing for the needy. Cook said Bruce had an upbringing marked by poverty, housing instability and exposure to domestic violence. Bruce was raised by a single mother and had no male role model. Cook argued Bruce's sexual maturation was stunted by early and prolonged exposure to pornography and an uncle who glorified empty sexual conquests. 'Micheal Bruce was not taught about love, caring, how to be a good spouse or boyfriend,' Cook said. 'He lacked some of the foundational blocks that would take him into adulthood… It's no surprise that he found himself in trouble as years went by.' Since his arrest, Bruce has joined sex addicts anonymous, a decision 'truly indicative of an internal motivation to change,' Cook said. Bruce offered a tearful apology to his victims, saying he never set out to exploit children. 'My criminality stems from my involvement in the sex trade,' he said. 'I did not seek out teenagers for sexual gratification, but I didn't say no and avail myself of the opportunity to walk away and figure out the truth of their age and I should have.' Bruce said he will regret what he did 'for as long as God allows me to be on this Earth' and is learning how to be a better person. 'I will spend the rest of my days trying to right the wrongs of my past and whenever society permits it, I will try to find ways to help vulnerable women and girls from being exploited sexually,' he said. Bruce will be sentenced June 23. Dean PritchardCourts reporter Dean Pritchard is courts reporter for the Free Press. He has covered the justice system since 1999, working for the Brandon Sun and Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 2019. Read more about Dean. Every piece of reporting Dean produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
School trustee takes colleagues to court over singing of God Save the King
A trustee on Dauphin's beleaguered school board is taking his colleagues to court over their refusal to support a return to students singing God Save the King on a daily basis. Manitoba children and youth are — at least on paper — required to recite an ode to the reigning constitutional monarch on all regular school days, either during morning announcements or before dismissal. The Kinew government is in the process of scrapping the dusty clause in the Public Schools Act that has not been enforced for more than 25 years. (The opposition Progressive Conservatives have delayed Bill 40, which would repeal the Schools Patriotic Observances Regulation, until the fall.) Despite its impending demise, Ethelbert-based trustee Paul Coffey wants to revive Canada's royal anthem in the Mountain View School Division in the name of following the law. 'The law is not optional. No board has the authority to suspend provincial statutes or regulations,' he wrote in an affidavit that was recently submitted to the Court of King's Bench in Dauphin. 'If the board disagrees with a regulation, the proper response is to advocate for lawful change.' Coffey filed an ex-parte application — a proceeding that is only permitted when the complainant is seeking urgent relief — on June 2. He is accusing six fellow board members of purposefully breaching their respective oaths of office by voting on Jan. 27 to pause a sudden, mid-year reintroduction of God Save the King across the division amid public outcry. The defendants include trustees Scott Lynxleg, Floyd Martens, Gabe Mercier, Conrad Nabess, John Taylor and Jarri Thompson. Chairperson Jason Gryba and vice-chairperson Kerri Wieler are the only elected officials on the nine-seat board not directly involved in the legal action. 'On its face, the lawsuit does appear frivolous,' said Cameron Hauseman, an associate professor of educational administration at the University of Manitoba. 'I'd argue it's nothing more than a waste of judicial resources in an effort to score some cheap political points.' An effective school board weighs its legislative responsibilities against other goals in the education system, such as fostering student well-being and belonging, Hauseman said. Manitoba is the only province that, in 1964 — a decade into the late Queen Elizabeth's reign — legislated the royal anthem into everyday proceedings at kindergarten-to-Grade 12 schools. Asked about why Mountain View's 16 schools were given marching orders to honour King Charles on a daily basis, starting Jan. 16, Gryba provided little explanation. The chair of the board issued a generic statement in the winter that stressed the importance of following rules. The directive was overturned after community members raised concerns that subjecting Indigenous students and staff members to a daily musical salute to the Crown and, by extension, the fallout of colonialism, would cause unnecessary harm. Coffey's affidavit called that resolution 'part of a broader pattern of governance failures and jurisdictional overreach by the MVSD board.' The board has faced significant scrutiny dating back to a public presentation he made in April 2024 during which he decried anti-racism initiatives and spoke positively about residential schools. 'Manitoba teachers know the ugliness of colonization and we know what these antiquated exercises in Manitoba do to students and to members,' said Lillian Klausen, president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society. The union, which represents 16,600 public school teachers in the province, is both in support of trustees who want to create safe spaces and the province dismantling the outdated regulation, Klausen said. One of the defendants told the Free Press the group has been advised by counsel not to speak about the matter publicly. Alan Campbell, president of the Manitoba School Boards Association, refused to weigh in on a case that is in front of the courts. The office of Education Minister Tracy Schmidt — who has indicated she has no interest in enforcing the Schools Patriotic Observances Regulation — declined comment for the same reason. Coffey said in an email Monday that his court application was made in his capacity as a voting member of the division, in accordance with provisions under the Public Schools Act. As far as Hauseman is concerned, all six of the trustees who are named in his case should be applauded 'for their moral courage' in lieu of kowtowing to an archaic policy. 'That's the last thing we want to see in our elected officials,' said the U of M researcher who studies school governance. 'We want to see them stand up for what's right.' A hearing is scheduled for June 23 at the Dauphin courthouse. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Trustee takes colleagues to court over singing of God Save the King
A trustee on Dauphin's beleaguered school board is taking his colleagues to court over their refusal to support a return to students singing God Save the King on a daily basis. Manitoba children and youth are — at least on paper — required to recite an ode to the reigning constitutional monarch on all regular school days, either during morning announcements or before dismissal. The Kinew government is in the process of scrapping the dusty clause in the Public Schools Act that has not been enforced for more than 25 years. (The opposition Progressive Conservatives have delayed Bill 40, which would repeal the Schools Patriotic Observances Regulation, until the fall.) Despite its impending demise, Ethelbert-based trustee Paul Coffey wants to revive Canada's royal anthem in the Mountain View School Division in the name of following the law. 'The law is not optional. No board has the authority to suspend provincial statutes or regulations,' he wrote in an affidavit that was recently submitted to the Court of King's Bench in Dauphin. 'If the board disagrees with a regulation, the proper response is to advocate for lawful change.' Coffey filed an ex-parte application — a proceeding that is only permitted when the complainant is seeking urgent relief — on June 2. He is accusing six fellow board members of purposefully breaching their respective oaths of office by voting on Jan. 27 to pause a sudden, mid-year reintroduction of God Save the King across the division amid public outcry. The defendants include trustees Scott Lynxleg, Floyd Martens, Gabe Mercier, Conrad Nabess, John Taylor and Jarri Thompson. Chairperson Jason Gryba and vice-chairperson Kerri Wieler are the only elected officials on the nine-seat board not directly involved in the legal action. 'On its face, the lawsuit does appear frivolous,' said Cameron Hauseman, an associate professor of educational administration at the University of Manitoba. 'I'd argue it's nothing more than a waste of judicial resources in an effort to score some cheap political points.' An effective school board weighs its legislative responsibilities against other goals in the education system, such as fostering student well-being and belonging, Hauseman said. Manitoba is the only province that, in 1964 — a decade into the late Queen Elizabeth's reign — legislated the royal anthem into everyday proceedings at kindergarten-to-Grade 12 schools. Asked about why Mountain View's 16 schools were given marching orders to honour King Charles on a daily basis, starting Jan. 16, Gryba provided little explanation. The chair of the board issued a generic statement in the winter that stressed the importance of following rules. The directive was overturned after community members raised concerns that subjecting Indigenous students and staff members to a daily musical salute to the Crown and, by extension, the fallout of colonialism, would cause unnecessary harm. Coffey's affidavit called that resolution 'part of a broader pattern of governance failures and jurisdictional overreach by the MVSD board.' The board has faced significant scrutiny dating back to a public presentation he made in April 2024 during which he decried anti-racism initiatives and spoke positively about residential schools. 'Manitoba teachers know the ugliness of colonization and we know what these antiquated exercises in Manitoba do to students and to members,' said Lillian Klausen, president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society. The union, which represents 16,600 public school teachers in the province, is both in support of trustees who want to create safe spaces and the province dismantling the outdated regulation, Klausen said. One of the defendants told the Free Press the group has been advised by counsel not to speak about the matter publicly. Alan Campbell, president of the Manitoba School Boards Association, refused to weigh in on a case that is in front of the courts. The office of Education Minister Tracy Schmidt — who has indicated she has no interest in enforcing the Schools Patriotic Observances Regulation — declined comment for the same reason. Coffey said in an email Monday that his court application was made in his capacity as a voting member of the division, in accordance with provisions under the Public Schools Act. As far as Hauseman is concerned, all six of the trustees who are named in his case should be applauded 'for their moral courage' in lieu of kowtowing to an archaic policy. 'That's the last thing we want to see in our elected officials,' said the U of M researcher who studies school governance. 'We want to see them stand up for what's right.' A hearing is scheduled for June 23 at the Dauphin courthouse. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Dinner, porn, and betrayal: The staggering case of Coach Ken Porter and the hidden abuse that haunted athletes for decades
In a decision that brings a painful saga spanning nearly five decades to a legal conclusion, 76-year-old Thomas Kenneth Porter, a former Edmonton track coach, has been found guilty of historical sexual offenses against three teenage boys he coached in the 1970s. The ruling, delivered by Court of King's Bench Justice Nicholas Devlin on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, marks a significant moment for the victims, some of whom have waited years for justice. In this case, the incidents date back to 1976-1980, when the victims were between 15 and 17 years old. The charges brought against Porter were " indecent assault " and " gross indecency ," which were the relevant Criminal Code offenses at that time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 손끝에서 빛나는 반지 [지금 확인] 월드비전 더 알아보기 Undo Justice Devlin concluded that Porter, under the guise of athletic massages, sexually touched the teens for his gratification. Disturbingly, one incident involved Porter inviting boys to his apartment for dinner, showing them pornography, and then offering "rubdowns", his term for the massages he gave young athletes. This predatory behavior was deemed an "exploitation or perversion of contact by a trusted adult," causing "discomfort, confusion, and even revulsion among the victims." Live Events The story is brought vividly to life through the testimony of Chris Dallin, who, at 14, began training with Porter. He was the first to report his experiences to the police in 2007, nearly 30 years after the abuse. Almost 20 years later, and close to 50 years after the initial trauma, Dallin bravely asked the court to lift the publication ban on his name. "I no longer have any shame about this," he stated, emphasizing the importance of sharing his story and helping others understand that "it's OK to kind of go through this." This criminal case emerged after a 2019 independent investigation commissioned by Athletics Canada , led by former Ontario ombudsman André Marin, into widespread sexual misconduct allegations. Marin's report ultimately led to Porter's firing as chair of the Ottawa Lions track and field club and a lifetime ban from Athletics Canada. Notably, Marin "astonishingly" encouraged complainants to reach out to each other, a factor that later led to questions about potential influence on memories during the trial. While Porter was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault and three counts of gross indecency, he was acquitted on five other charges, including those related to an alleged sexual assault in a Saskatoon hotel room involving Dallin. Despite the acquittal on the hotel incident, Justice Devlin explicitly stated he was "sure Mr. Porter sexually touched [Dallin] for his gratification," finding the coach was "infatuated" with the teenage Dallin. Porter's own "shifting, self-serving, almost desperate evidence" left him "bereft of credibility" in the judge's eyes, who further stated that Porter "was not concerned at all with sexually arousing the teenage boys he was laying hands on." Dallin, who endured years of struggle with drug and alcohol dependency after the trauma, expressed disappointment over the acquittal on the hotel incident but was grateful for how seriously the case was handled. "Kids, young people, need a few people out there who show the way," Dallin said, hoping his story encourages others to break their silence. Porter remains on bail, awaiting his sentence, which will be determined at a later date.
West Australian
12-06-2025
- West Australian
Lawrence Campbell: Massive lotto win turns sour after man sues girlfriend he says took winnings, ghosted him
As Aussies dream of taking out the $100m on offer in Thursday night's Powerball draw, a sad postscript on a huge win is playing out in Canada's courts. A Winnipeg man is suing his ex-girlfriend who he alleges took his winnings and then 'ghosted' him in order to be with her new lover. Lawrence Campbell, claims he bought the winning ticket in a 6/49 draw in January 2024, scooping the CAD$5m ($5.6m) prize, but his now ex-partner Krystal Ann McKay took the lot. On May 2024, he filed a complaint in Manitoba's Court of King's Bench against Ms McKay and Western Canada Lottery Corporation and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. In the claim reported by CTV News , he states that he scanned the ticket with his phone and realised he had won big. He then went with Ms McKay to a convenience store to verify the win. Problems arose, Mr Campbell alleges, when Western Canada Lottery Corporation told the pair Mr Campbell could not claim the winnings because he didn't have a valid government issued-ID. The pair were instead advised to let Ms McKay claim the win and she subsequently deposited it into her bank account as Mr Lawrence did not have an active account. During a press conference celebrating the win at the time, Ms McKay said Mr Campbell had given her the ticket as a birthday gift. 'It was really overwhelming, exciting,' Ms McKay said. Mr Campbell said, 'She had been asking me for three weeks to get a ticket, but I never went and got one. Then we drove by one, and I was like 'OK, I might as well go get you one right now'.' Days later Ms McKay failed to return to the hotel room she had been sharing with Mr Campbell. In the legal suit, Mr Campbell states he went to find Ms McKay and found her 'in bed' with another man. He claims Ms McKay then told him she wanted to end their relationship to be with this 'new guy' and then 'ghosted him', refusing to answer his calls and messages, and took out a protection order against him. Mr Campbell's lawsuit also claims the Western Canada Lottery Corporation gave him bad advice. Ms McKay is under a court order not to purchase or gift any property, money or motor vehicles, or make any investments. Ms McKay's attorney, Conor Williamson, told CTV News that his client plans to dispute the allegations against her and will be filing a statement of defence. The case is due to head back to court on June 13.
