Josef Fritzl may have hidden his face behind a blue binder for the past two days in an Austrian courtroom, but he couldn't hide his guilt. And in the end, the 73-year-old standing trial for a series of horrific crimes decided not to contest the accusations against him, pleading guilty to all charges.

The former engineer now agrees his actions led to the death of his son and that he enslaved his daughter, locking her up in a hidden basement dungeon in the town of Amstetten for 24 years and fathering seven children with her, while telling the world she ran away to join a religious cult. Many of the sexual attacks came in front of her kids.

The admission came one day after a lengthy video statement from Elisabeth Fritzl, who was just 18 when her father forced her into captivity and committed repeated acts of incest on her. He admits seeing that tape helped change his mind about his plea.

She gave birth to seven children by him and didn't see the light of day until a medical emergency last year forced one of those offspring to the hospital - and the now 42-year-old mother emerged from her nearly quarter century captivity.

Fritzl, who had already admitted to the incest, as well as rape and forced imprisonment, calmly walked into court Wednesday morning and reversed his former plea.  "I declare myself guilty to the charges in the indictment," he told the panel of judges, referring to his "sick behavior."

The admission of negligent homicide stems from the 1996 death of a three day old infant that the father had with his daughter. When the twin experienced breathing problems, Fritzl refused to call in medical help, which would have revealed his secret. Instead, the baby boy died and his dad burned the body in an incinerator to destroy the evidence.

He took three of the other children into his own home upstairs, telling his wife they were abandoned. But three others were left in the windowless locked dungeon all their lives and had grown up never seeing daylight.

The stunning reversal ends a salacious trial that had the world riveted, and now moves onto the penalty phase. It's expected Fritzl will receive a life sentence for his crimes.

A psychiatrist told the court the accused suffers from a dangerous personality disorder and would be a threat to society if he were ever set free. The doctor claims the bad dad has an extreme need to control everything and everybody and while he knew what he was doing was wrong, he was able to simply block it out.

But she believes Fritzl should serve his punishment in a psychiatric ward instead of a jail cell.

In the end the father agrees he should have tried to do something to save the ailing infant. "I don't know why I didn't help," he told the judges. "I just overlooked it. I thought the little one would survive.

"I should have recognized that the baby was doing poorly."

With the admission of guilt, Fritzl seems to have lifted a burden off of himself. For the first time since the trial began on Monday, he didn't hide his face, allowing cameras to catch their first clear glimpse of him since his arrest in 2008.

The sentence and the final verdict are both expected Thursday, after the defence and prosecutors give their closing statements.

Previous stories:

Girl awakens from coma

"I am not a monster": accused dad 

Daughter may sue father

New questions emerge in case

Family reunited for first time

Accused father was 'tyrant' at home

Father accused of being 'incest addict'

Prosecutors question daughter

Daughter breaks silence

Family issues statement

Dad facing murder charges

Father found fit to stand trial

Dad admits to several crimes, but not murder

Woman held captive for 24 years testifies in court

Do you know where this man is?

If you do, Toronto Police need to know where you saw him.

His name is Shawn Thomas Fries and he's a high risk offender who allegedly hasn't been complying with the conditions of his release.

Police say Fries is likely to re-offend and may be in the Scarborough area. 

"He's wanted by the Toronto Police for failing to comply with his conditions," notes P.C. Tony Vella.

"We're asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact police," he adds.

Authorities are targeting the Scarborough area because they say Fries was last seen at Scarborough Town Centre and has ties just down the road at Ellesmere and Morningside Road.

Parents in the area are understandably shaken.

"I'm scared to even leave (my daughter)," one mom said.  "I have to hold her hand, I am scared to turn my back knowing there is somebody out there. It's just scary."

While police say they can't divulge details of any of Fries's offenses or the restrictions placed on him, CityNews.ca has learned they involve crimes against children, and that he allegedly refused to stay away from areas where they gather.

He's believed to be wandering around the city somewhere and authorities want to put him back behind bars.

But they need to find him first.

He's described as:

• White,
• 6'1",
• 150 lbs.,
• Slim build,
• Short dark hair.

If you see him, keep your distance and call (416) 808-4300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (416) 222-TIPS (8477).

Does this man's face look familiar to you? He's accused of stalking a 12-year-old boy at the C.N.E. last month and cops allege it wasn't the only incident at the annual fair.

The first time the stranger came to the attention of authorities was back on August 22nd, when cops were called about a man who allegedly positioned himself behind the youngster and began touching him in a sexual manner on his back.

The child escaped his clutches but the 12-year-old was alarmed to turn around during his Exhibition sojourn and see the man apparently following him.

Eight days later, another witness saw the same man carrying out the same strange behaviour at the fair, with his sights seemingly set on another youngster.  

Police were alerted and were finally able to track down a suspect. He's 62-year-old Saturnino "Nino" Alberi (top left) and cops are anxious to know what he may have been up to over the past few weeks.

If you've seen him or come into some unexpected contact with him, they need to hear from you at (416) 808-1405.

This man was also arrested back in July 2006 on allegations of sexual assault and sexual exploitation against a 14-year-old boy in 1998. Authorities claimed the suspect worked as a fitness trainer for several years and recruited young boys through hockey arenas.

Alberi appeared at College Park courts on Wednesday. He's been charged with sexual assault and criminal harassment.

The case began with a scream.

Last week, residents near a Courtice school were ripped from their sleep by the terrified shrieks of a 12-year-old girl. One woman immediately called police. When they arrived, the youngster claimed she had been sexually assaulted. That was the morning of August 6.

Now, five days later, a man accused of the brutal attack appeared in a Peterborough court for a bail hearing. However, that decision was held over until Thursday. He'll stay behind bars until then, where he's been since his arrest.

The victim was allegedly driven nearly 70 kilometres in a red van to the scene of the alleged crime, taken off the streets while walking home from a friend's birthday party. That's the last anyone saw of her until police found her behind the high school.

The man in question sped off when he saw the cops, but they gave chase, only giving up their hunt when it reached dangerous speeds. The suspect was collared later in the day.

However, according to the suspect's wife, that's not what happened at all.

Natalie Tippett claims her husband called her before he was arrested to say he'd been held at gunpoint early Wednesday and didn't know where he was. He apparently also told his wife of 12 years that he'd been carjacked the night the youth was allegedly snatched off the streets of Peterborough.

She also said her husband told her he was in hospital getting a blood transfusion in Toronto the night of the assault.

The 12-year-old has been traumatized by the ordeal, but wasn't seriously injured.

"She is obviously under great distress, going through a very difficult time right now," said Dave Selby of Durham Regional Police.

Stanley Tippett, 32, faces charges of abduction and sexual assault.

Police Confirm Arrest In Alleged Abduction And Sexual Assault On 12-Year-Old Girl

Accused In Alleged Abduction Of 12-Year-Old Claims Innocence, Wife Says

A sexual assault on a five-year-old girl is horrific enough.

Two of them is unbearable.

Taping both is unconscionable.

But that's what Toronto Police are accusing a 67-year-old man of doing, after they searched his home at Sheppard and Yonge last Thursday.

Cops allege Mark Forbes assaulted the child on two separate occasions and contend they found the tapes of the crimes in progress.

They allege the attacks took place on July 29th and August 4th.

But that's not all police say they found when they went behind those closed doors, asserting they also came across two handguns, a rifle and a shotgun.

Forbes is facing 25 charges overall, ranging from sexual assault to making child pornography and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

He'll be in court Wednesday but police are already wondering if there are other victims with an equally troubling story to tell.

Call (416) 808-1200 or Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS if you have anything to add.

He's accused of committing disturbing crimes against youngsters, and now Toronto Police are turning to the Internet in an attempt to track him down.

Julio Cesar Arriero, 36, is wanted for two counts each of sexual assault and sexual exploitation, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of two youths.

Investigators want to find him fast, and posted a video appeal for information on YouTube. They've also posted information about the case on the Facebook Crime Stoppers page (You need to be a member to see it.).

Arriero is decribed as:

• Light brown complexion
• 5'8", 180 lbs
• Muscular build
• Long hair worn in a ponytail (which may have been cut short)

He has tattoos of names on his right hand, nicknames on his chest, and sun, cloud and lightning symbols on both arms. He's been known to go by the names Ceasar Vargas, Ceasar Arriero and Carlos Vargas.

It's believed he's in the Toronto area and has a number of acquaintances and relatives throughout the GTA.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 416-808-3100, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

The public library and a bookstore should be places for kids to learn and grow. But Toronto Police allege that each of them turned into a location of terror for two young girls. They've made an arrest after the youngsters came forward with separate accounts of a man sexually assaulting them.

One of the victims was 16, the other just 10.

Both of the incidents occurred March 6th in the Bayview and Sheppard area and both happened within a few minutes of each other. In the first, a man approached a teen around 5pm and struck up a conversation with her. After a few minutes of gaining her trust, cops say he pounced and began attacking her.

She ran off for help and the man fled, but cops contend he didn't go far. About half an hour later, a 10-year-old was browsing through the children's section of a nearby bookstore when the same man came up to her. This time, detectives allege he didn't even try to initiate a dialogue and simply went after her. She cried out and by the time help arrived, he was gone.

Police were called and began probing the incidents and on Wednesday, they finally came up with a suspect. He's 41-year-old William Douglas Shorten, a Toronto resident, and he's facing a number of charges, including indecent acts, sexual interference and sexual assault.

He made his first appearance in a Finch Ave. West courtroom on Thursday, but this case is by no means closed. Police are worried there may be other victims and are asking any young girls with a story to tell to call them at (416) 808-3305 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS.

Police outlined the details of the largest co-ordinated child porn investigation in Ontario history during a Tuesday morning press conference. Twenty-two people have been arrested in connection with the ambitious probe, which began in January and involved 25 search warrants in 16 communities across Ontario. A total of 73 criminal charges have been laid. Among those accused are a woman and a young offender.

"Today's successful announcement has taken weeks of legwork by dozens of members of the provincial strategy to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation," said O.P.P. Commissioner Julian Fantino."The most fundamental responsibility of any society is to protect its children. Every child has a right to be nurtured and to be safe, and we as a society have a duty to ensure that that happens."

 "Child pornography is the sexual abuse of children," he added.  "A brutal crime committed by despicable predators. Every image of child pornography represents the irrefutable evidence of a child being brutalized and it's not just about impersonal, abstract images."

Fantino cited the increased use of the Internet as a prevalent threat to young people, and urged further education on how to use the technology in a safe, responsible manner.

"It is appropriate that we are here today making this announcement on Safe Internet Day, a day recognized in 43 countries worldwide, a day designed to highlight the need to make the internet a safe and useful tool for our children to access for both educational and personal use.

"In far too many cases the misuse of the internet continues to pose a threat to children, parents and all law-abiding decent people in our society, including the police. The production and distribution of pornography, the luring of young people by pedophiles for their own deviant purposes and the proliferation of internet sites where pictures of just about every imaginable kind of abuse of children including infants can be accessed by anyone, is a major concern to police agencies worldwide."

Inspector Dave Kimmerly admitted that the arrest of a woman in the probe was somewhat startling. "It's certainly unique," he said.  "I understand it may be the first time in recent history in Canada that a female has been arrested (on child porn charges)."

News of the arrests came in tandem with the findings of startling O.P.P. study that revealed more than 15,000 people in Ontario actively use their computers to distribute child pornography. The study discovered that in Canada, images involving child porn have been traced to more than 205,000 unique computer addresses. In Ontario alone, more than 63,000 unique IP addresses have been linked to the illegal images.

The O.P.P. say 30 percent of people who posses child pornography also sexually abuse children, pointing to the abduction and killing of Holly Jones as a prime example of the worst case scenario. "(Michael) Briere who is now convicted of murdering Holly Jones, he in his own confession spoke about how he was viewing child porn material, and he knew as soon as he saw Holly Jones he was going to murder her," Fantino adds.

Fantino closed out the emotional press conference by reminding all citizens of their duties to protect children.  He also had a stern warning for perpetrators, and hinted that the courts needs to take a stronger stance against those who view, trade, or make child pornography.

"We all have a responsibility in this matter. If anyone comes across child pornography or suspects that a child is being abused in any way, they are morally and ethically obligated to report the abuse to the police. 

"The provincial strategy will stop at nothing to hunt down child predators and eliminate the threat they pose to our children and our communities. Fair warning to pedophiles: You can run but you can't hide. And sooner or later, we will identify you. We will arrest you and we'll bring you to justice.

"Now, let's see what the courts do with these cases."

How To Protect Your Kids From Internet Predators

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Charges are as follows:

Jay Hutchinson, age 24, of Hamilton, 1 count of Make Available Child Pornography, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 45 Main St., Hamilton on Feb. 12, 2008.

Doug MacDonald, age 50, of Ottawa, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Make Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 161 Elgin St., Ottawa on February 12, 2008.

Edwin Morris, age 63, of Burlington, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Access Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 491 Steeles Ave., Milton on February 12, 2008.

Michael E. Shipley, age 31, of Milton, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Access Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 491 Steeles Ave., Milton on February 12, 2008.

Thomas Webb, age 56, of Brantford, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 44 Queen Street, Brantford on February 12, 2008.

Wendy Allison Potter, age 28, of Whitby, 1 count of  Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 242 King St. E., Oshawa on February 12, 2008.

Harry James Aseltine, age 57, of Oshawa, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, 1 count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, to appear in provincial court at 242 King St. E., Oshawa on February 12, 2008.

Michael Cherry, age 37, of London, 4 counts of Possession of  Child Pornography, 3 counts of Making Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 80 Dundas St., London on February 12, 2008.

Nathan Armstrong, age, 27, of Peterborough, 2 counts of  Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court in Peterborough on February, 12, 2008.

Matthew McDougall, age 20, of Red Lake, 2 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Making Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 115 Howey St., Red Lake on February 12, 2008.

Matthew Brunton, age 22, of Cornwall, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Access Child Pornography, appeared for bail hearing at provincial court, 29 Second St. E., Cornwall on February 11, 2008.

Guilio Carere, age 46, of Guelph, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, 1 count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, appeared for bail hearing in provincial court at 36 Wyndham St. S., Guelph on February 11, 2008.

Keith Kamenz, age 29, of Guelph, 1 count of Possession of  Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, appeared for bail hearing at provincial court, 36 Wyndham St. S., Guelph on February 11, 2008.

Lawrence Bouillon, age 44, of Espanola, 2 counts Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, 1 count Access Child Pornography, 1 count Possession of a controlled substance, to appear in provincial court at 155 Elm Street, Sudbury on February 12, 2008.

Eric Brown, age 25, of Brampton, 1 count Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Make Available Child Pornography, 1 count of Access Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 7755 Hurontario St., Brampton on February 12, 2008.

Michael Avison, age 33, of Mississauga, 1 count Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Make Available Child Pornography, 1 count of Access Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 7755 Hurontario St., Brampton on February 12, 2008.

Stephen Burritt, age 39, of Sault Ste. Marie, 1 count of  Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count Make Available Child Pornography, 1 count of Distribution of Child Pornography, 1 count of  Possession of Child Pornography For The Purpose Of Distribution, 5 counts of Unsafe Storage of Firearm, 1 count of Unsafe Storage of         Ammunition, 1 count of Knowingly Posess A Prohibited Firearm Without         Authorization, 1 count of Possession of Prohibited Firearm.

Karl Herman, age 64, of Cambridge, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Make Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court at 200, Frederick St., Kitchener on Feb. 12, 2008.

Nicola Sisi, age 26, of Toronto, 2 counts of Luring Under 14, 1 count of Invitation to Sexual Touch, 1 count of Exposure to person under 14, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Distribution of Child Pornography.

Glenn Albert Laurin, age 45, of Toronto, 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography, 1 count of Make Available Child Pornography, to appear in provincial court tomorrow for bail hearing on February 11, 2008 in provincial court at 444 Yonge St., Toronto.

One young offender from Hamilton who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act has also been charged with 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography.

A new charge has been laid against a man in connection with a sexual assault investigation.

Patrick White, 64, of Toronto now faces an additional charge of Sexual Exploitation with a person of a disability after another victim stepped forward. 

White was working as a vendor at a flea market at 5555 Dundas Street West.

It's alleged that he was targeting people with mental disabilities whom he hired to work for him, either at the flea market or selling chocolates.

He's scheduled to make a court appearance on Friday morning.

Police believe there may be more victims who haven't come forward yet, and are asking anyone with information to call (416) 808-5505 or Crime Stoppers at (416) 222-TIPS.

The explosion of computer technology in recent years has coincided with an increase in sexual deviants roaming the lawless lands of cyber space.  On Thursday, police believe they removed one such character from the online landscape.

Cops accuse Neil Schneider, 58, (pictured) of downloading and distributing child pornography on the internet. 

A search warrant was executed at his home in the Markham Road/Eglinton Avenue area of the city. 

Police say items seized during the search have led them to believe the suspect may have had contact with young children and they're asking anyone with information to call them at 416-808-8500, or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS. 

He was convicted of molesting young children, sometimes for years. And after waiting for justice for such a long time, his victims believed they would finally see him locked behind bars for the next decade. Instead to the shock and horror of those he so terribly wronged, George Stea is expected to walk out of prison on Saturday a free man.

How can that be? Stea is appealing his conviction on the charges and a judge has agreed to release him during that process. Those who were cruelly harmed by the man can't fathom the logic behind the stunning move. "Unbelievable," one victim, now a young woman, exhorts. "Unbelievable that this man has been let back out on the streets. That he's been allowed to have bail." We can't tell you her name to protect her identity. But her pain transcends any moniker.

She claims Stea began abusing her when she was just nine years old. It didn't end until she turned 16. And she wasn't the only one. Stea was also found guilty of assaulting other kids ten years ago. His conviction brought some small amount of closure to them. But his release brings no small amount of outrage. "I thought it was over," another of his victims fumes. "It will never be over. "I am really, really upset."

Others who suffered at Stea's hands cried when the judge announced his decision. "I feel completely depleted," the first woman concedes. "I just feel like crying." And she may feel that way for a while. Stea's bail is just $50,000 and it could be 3-6 months before his appeal is even heard.  

Just one day after revealing shocking details about the alleged sex assault and drugging of a 12-year-old girl, cops are back out looking for one of the accused. Even veteran officers were having trouble dealing with the disgusting details of the case. They allege six men came to a drug house in the Rexdale Blvd. and Hwy. 27 area over the course of a year and attacked the developmentally delayed youngster, after forcing crack cocaine on her.

Her 42-year-old mother is also accused of standing by and watching it happen, and she's facing charges, as well. But one of the accused who was released on bail has disappeared. Nineteen-year-old Radcliffe Parchment failed to show up for a court appearance Friday morning. A bench warrant has been put out for his arrest and cops are back on the hunt for him.

Police admit they're incensed with the alleged actions of those involved. "I think we're all outraged is a good word to say that these sort of things are taking place," Supt. Ron Taverner intones. "In this day and age, you know, this shouldn't be happening. It shouldn't happen in our society."

The youngster remains in the custody of the Children's Aid Society.

List of suspects and charges:

1) Harold Cover, 55, of Mississauga: Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference, Invitation to Sexual Touching and Trafficking in a substance held out to be Cocaine

2) Radcliffe Parchment, 19, of Toronto: Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference and Invitation to Sexual Touching

3) Muralee Balasubramaniam, 50, of no fixed address: Sexual Assault, Sexual Interference, Weapons Dangerous and Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest

4) Neil Rose, 44, of Brampton: Sexual Assault and Sexual Interference

5) Dennis Guthrie, 52, of Whitby: Sexual Assault and Sexual Interference

6) Linton Lewis, 47, of Brampton: Sexual Assault and Sexual Interference

7) Mother, 42, of Toronto: Corrupting Children. Name can't be released to protect victim.

An altercation between a young girl and a 50-year-old man inside a convenience store has led to charges of sexual assault.

The incident took place Tuesday afternoon at Parliament and Wellesley when a 13-year-old went inside the shop and got into some kind of dispute with a man.

She wasn't hurt, but used her street smarts to flee the scene, heading to Winchester St. Public School  for help. Police were called and took a report claiming that the child was inappropriately touched by the suspect.

"Every one of us who are parents train our children not to talk to strangers, but also to report when incidents like this occur. She did the right thing by going right back to school and making that complaint, and of course the school took immediate action," said St. Sgt. Randy Carter.

Inderjit Singh has been charged with one count of sexual assault and another of sexual interference.

He'll make his first court appearance on both charges on Wednesday. 

They're accused of the kind of crimes that infuriate both police and the general public.

Two Toronto men have been charged in separate incidents involving young girls being lured into prostitution.

Their alleged victims - two teenagers.

Police claim the first suspect, a baby-faced looking man named Bobby Wilson (left), was introduced to his alleged 14-year-old victim through a friend and supposedly acted as her pimp and her teacher into the illicit world of the sex trade.

They believe he instructed her on how much to charge, arranged for her "clients" and kept her supplied with a steady steam of drugs, ranging from coke and crack to Ecstasy.

The 26-year-old Wilson is facing a slew of accusations, including procurement, living off the avails of prostitution and assault.

The other case involves a man two years younger than the first suspect and a girl who's only 15.

Cops contend Ottis Quashie Thompson (top right) met his alleged victim at a shopping mall and talked her into walking the streets. The accuse him of forcing her to work at specific times on specific corners and beating her up when she didn't come back with enough money.

He's facing charges similar to White.

Cops are now wondering if either man has approached anyone else and allegedly schooled them on the shadowy profession. If you have information detectives should know, call them at (416) 808-7468.

Thompson has a date before a judge on Monday, but White will be cooling his heels in jail for the next few days. He's not scheduled to make his first court appearance on the charges until Wednesday. 

There's an old law enforcement saying that a criminal always returns to the scene of the crime. That's what Toronto Police allege the man they've arrested at a North York apartment building did, and now they're on the hunt for other victims. Two weeks ago, they received a call from a 22-year-old woman waiting in an elevator at a Jane and Sheppard area complex. She claims a man appeared, began talking to her and then started to touch her. She pulled away from him and left the building.

A week later, cops took another report that seemed eerily identical. This time, it was a 32-year-old female who was inside the lift when a man on his way up began what seemed like a friendly conversation. He suddenly leaned over and allegedly began touching her, while she raised her arms to defend herself. Fortunately, the doors opened and she scampered away from him.

Police began looking for a suspect and found one, arresting 51-year-old Najman Jarjis. He's been charged with two counts of sexual assault and made a Thursday court appearance. But detectives are convinced there may be other women who experienced the same thing and they need to talk to them. Call (416) 808-3104 if you have something to tell them.

A Toronto animator who runs a company called "Evil Clown Animation" has been convicted of having sex with a 13-year-old girl and could face a 14-year jail sentence. 

Thirty-seven-year-old Michael Dobson was found guilty of four counts of sexual interference after having a five-month relationship with a 13-year-old girl in 2002.

"It took a lot of courage for this young woman to come forward with these allegations. She spent most of her teenage years dealing with this court case and these incidents," said Crown Attorney Cara Sweeny.

"I know that she is relieved and pleased to have some closure in this matter, and that's certainly what this verdict is for her."

Currently the legal age of consent in Canada is 14 years old.  Dobson met the young girl when she was only 12.

Despite her youth, the judge took note of her maturity.

"This young lady is 13 going on 19. I don't condone his behaviour in any respect.  I found she was precocious beyond her years," he said during his ruling.

Dobson will be sentenced on May 18th.

Normally, pedophiles operate undercover, in the dark recesses of their own fantasies and behind closed doors.

But Toronto Police allege a suspect they arrested this weekend was more open about his activities. And they fear other children may have been exposed.

It started just before 9pm Saturday when cops were called to the McDonald's in the Eaton Centre. They'd received complaints that a man was allegedly showing young kids pictures featuring child pornography.

They allege he wasn't even trying to hide what he was doing and that other patrons could clearly see what was going on.

An alarmed customer called police who immediately arrested a suspect at the mall.

His name is Earl Joseph Robert Maillet and he's facing a variety of charges, including possession of child pornography.

But like most of these terrible stories, the real investigation only begins after the arrest. Cops say the 44-year-old worked as a general contractor, which would have given him access to a large number of homes.

And they wonder if there were any other children he came into contact with on those jobs.

They're looking for witnesses to the alleged incident on Saturday. And they're asking anyone who may have anything else to tell them to call (416) 808-7361.

Maillet will appear in the Old City Hall courts on Thursday. 

A 54-year-old Mississauga man who police say was once actively involved in boys' baseball and hockey programs is facing child porn charges.

A tip from the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre led Peel Police to the suspect. Authorities executed a search warrant at his home earlier this week and he's accused of downloading disturbing images from a child porn website over a month-long period.

Terrence Reeves is facing three counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of accessing child porn.

Police say the suspect used to live in Woodstock, Ont. where he was involved in boys' baseball and hockey programs dating back to the 1980s.

Investigators are urging anyone who may have information regarding the accused to contact them at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3490 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

 

It's the scenario you hoped wasn't true, but feared had happened.

According to charges filed in a Missouri court, the man allegedly responsible for kidnapping two young boys off the streets of a St. Louis suburb repeatedly molested them while he held them captive.

Michael Devlin appeared before a judge on Monday, charged with 69 counts of forcible sodomy.

The 41-year-old pizzeria manager was arrested last month, when a 13-year-old disappeared after getting off a school bus just seconds from his home. Ben Ownby would later be found in Devlin's apartment, after cops spotted a suspicious truck believed used in the abduction.

But authorities also discovered something in that same residence that stunned the world - a now-15-year-old boy named Shawn Hornbeck, missing for more than four years.

For weeks, the public has wondered about what happened to the elder lad, who told police he was 'terrorized' and made compliant during his time in captivity.

And if the court allegations are true, we now have a better understanding of what form some of that terror took.

Prosecutors allege Devlin attacked Ownby 17 times, with court documents showing the violations happened four times for each of the days the youngster was held.

They say he did the same thing to Hornbeck at least 56 times, most during the first month the boy was taken and at least once every month thereafter until both were found on January 12th.

Prosecutors allege Devlin used a gun to take the first child hostage.

"Devlin acknowledged committing these acts," claims St. Louis county prosecutor Robert McCulloch.

Some of the evidence includes interviews with the boys themselves. Hornbeck has not spoken publicly about his ordeal and despite appearances on several big U.S. TV talk shows, may never choose to do so.

But he's said to be willing to testify against his alleged abuser when the case goes to trial. "I think he's committed to justice, as painful as it might be," Hornbeck family lawyer Scott Sherman assures.

Devlin has pleaded not guilty to the kidnapping charges. If he's convicted of the sodomy allegations, he could go away for a very long time. Each count is punishable by life

For the second straight day, a man of the cloth has been accused of a terrible crime involving children.

Toronto Police have arrested a reverend who represents the St. Andrew's Parish of the Ontario Old Roman Catholic Church, after allegedly discovering child pornography in his possession.

Cops contend they found a series of disturbing videos and pictures involving youngsters at 65-year-old Frederick Dunleavy's Bleeker St. residence on Thursday. 

"Members of the Toronto Police Service received information that Frederick Dunleavy was in possession of child pornography," relates Det. Cst. Amy Bjerknes. "Further to this allegation, we commenced an investigation."

They aren't saying yet how Dunleavy came to their attention, but they are concerned about what they claim to have found in his home.

"During the search warrant, videos and still images of child pornography were seized. The children in the images range in age from 5 years old to 17 years old."

St. Andrew's Parish, which has no affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church, is dedicated to helping the poor, the disabled and the homeless, and is celebrating its 50th anniversary in the city of Toronto in May of this year.

Neighbours of the religious figure are shocked to hear he's been detained.

"He looked [like] a quiet guy," reflects Stan Evans. "I mean, you'd never think he'd [allegedly] do that. And a reverend?  That's not good, you know."

Cally Specht is sick of hearing about these kinds of stories. "Yet another clergyman has been arrested for child porn?" she retorts. "This is getting ridiculous!" 

Dunleavy and his congregation rent out the chapel of a Bloor and Sherbourne St. church but a volunteer says he left the building six months ago.

In the meantime, cops are interested in finding out if this is an isolated incident or if there are victims that may have more information to tell them.

Dunleavy is scheduled to appear at the College Park Courts on March 20th.

His arrest follows Thursday's collar of an 89-year-old priest for a historic sex assault.

Vernon Larthur Hirtle, who's still actively involved with the Baptist Church, is accused of repeatedly attacking a young girl when she had contact with him between 1987 and 1990.

His court date has yet to be announced.
 

 

He's an old man. He's a religious man. And he may be a troubled man.

Toronto Police have arrested an 89-year-old pastor and charged him with a historic sexual assault.

Cops allege Vernon Larthur Hirtle, who's still actively involved with the Baptist Church, repeatedly attacked a young girl when she had contact with him between 1987 and 1990.

Investigators claim the attacks started when the child was just ten and continued for the next three years.

Detectives maintain the accused was a good friend of the family involved and even assisted them with some immigration issues.

The Mississauga resident has been a pastor since the 1940s and worked in a variety of locations across this province, as well as in Nova Scotia.

Because of his long association with various congregations, cops are wondering if there are any other stories about Hirtle that they need to hear. If you have one to tell, call the Sex Crimes Unit at (416) 808-7474.

A court date for the suspect is pending.

It now appears the man suspected of assaulting a seven-year-old girl in a school washroom may have confronted and terrorized another woman just minutes before he allegedly entered the High Park Centennial Montessori School on Tuesday afternoon.

An employee at a medical arts building in the Royal York and Queensway area was taken by surprise when she went to the basement to check out something strange in the washroom.

"She found somebody in the washroom sitting with a bottle of wine beside him," recalls pharmacist Pauline Kurkjian, who works in the building. "So he grabbed her with a peeling knife. She was scared  ... she was screaming for help. But he locked the door and wouldn't let her out."

The woman wasn't assaulted but he detained her until her screams alerted co-workers. When help arrived, the man fled.

Not long after, the seven-year old girl told her teacher a stranger had sexually assaulted her at the school. The campus is about ten minutes from the scene of the first incident.

Two parents and a school bus driver are credited with spotting the suspect and hauling him down until police arrived.

Officials with the private educational institution spent the day tightening security at the campus.

The owner remains stunned by what happened at a place he always considered safe for his students. He believes the intruder came in through a temporarily unlocked back entrance.

"All the doors in the school are always locked all day. The only time that back door is open is at 3:15 to facilitate parents coming into the school to pick up children," explains Brent Lisowski. "Somehow or another this gentleman snuck into the school and into the girl's washroom.

"We don't know how it could happen because the school at that time is always with staff in the hallways, parents in the hallways. There are a lot of people around. You know, just one of those things that is very disturbing and upsetting."

From now on staff will be guarding the door whenever it's open. And everyone will be keeping a closer eye peeled for anyone who doesn't belong.

Parents are incensed by the attack but are staying true to their school. 

"They've done so many good things, and I'm surprised it's happened," admits Richard Attard. "Like everybody knows everybody here, so we're all wondering how somebody got in here.

"I think the school is a pretty good school and they are extremely careful with the kids, but I think with some things we can't prevent," adds Adriana Carvalhal.

A psychologist was on hand at the campus as the kids returned Wednesday morning to help them deal with their fears over the event. A meeting will be held in the evening for parents still concerned about safety.

The victim was able to tell a teacher what happened to her and police were called. An instructor and a school bus driver spotted someone who didn't belong on the grounds and held him until police arrived.

The suspect has now been identified as Nicholas Finelli. Cops held off releasing his name or his picture so the woman in the medical building could try and I.D. him in a line-up.  

He made a brief court appearance on Wednesday and will be back before the bench on Friday for a bail hearing. He's facing nine charges - and police believe he may have been involved in a third attack.

They want to hear from anyone who knows what Finelli was doing on Monday and Tuesday.

The Grade One victim was checked out at the Hospital for Sick Children and released back to her parents. She remained at home on Wednesday recovering from her frightening ordeal.