1980s sex assault allegations prompt B.C. RCMP to ask for details from churchgoers, charge announced
Surrey, B.C., Mounties are asking for more information from attendants of a local church about reports of sexual assaults from the 1980s.
Police made the appeal for information Thursday, after announcing a sexual assault charge against 68-year-old Brian Robert Walks. A warrant was issued for Walks on March 10 and he was arrested three days later.
Walks was later released, but has court-imposed conditions limiting his access to anyone under the age of 16.
The RCMP said reports of historical sexual assaults were received last July. The allegations claimed the incidents happened at Christ Church Surrey Centre on Old McLellan Road, which moved to Christ the Redeemer Anglican Parish in Bell Road in 1988.
The alleged assaults happened between 1985 and 1988, police said, and involved a "young female child who was attending the Sunday school program." Police said the accused was a member of the church committee at the time of the offence.
"Although the alleged incident occurred more than 30 years ago, we believe that there are likely people in the community who attended the church and may have additional information," said Cpl. Vanessa Munn in a news release.
"Anyone with information, especially those who attended the named churches in the 1980s are asked to contact the Surrey RCMP."
Those with information should call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 and speak to the special victims unit.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland previews omnibus budget bill, proposed capital gains tax change left out
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass a sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget, though left out of the legislation is the government's proposed capital gains tax change.
Man dies after suffering cardiac arrest while waiting in ER, widow wants investigation
When an ambulance took David Lippert to the hospital in March of 2023, the 68-year-old Kitchener, Ont., executive was hoping to find out why he was feeling weak and unable to walk. Some 24 hours later, he was found unresponsive in the ER.
Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Judge raises threat of jail in hush money trial as he holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. And if he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
Video captures deadly wrong-way police chase on Highway 401 in Ontario
A new video has surfaced showing a vehicle being pursued by police in the wrong direction on Highway 401 moments prior to a fatal crash that killed four people, including an infant and their grandparents.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.