TORONTO — A man has been arrested in an alleged pattern of sexually assaulting young women at a Toronto church over several years, police said Tuesday.
The 71-year-old suspect is accused of groping two women, ages 22 and 24, as well as an 18-year-old who was a student at the parish school, at All Saints Church in North York. He is due in court in Toronto on Wednesday.
The Toronto Sun reported that the suspect, a parishioner who had attended some of the Sunday services, allegedly touched the girls while in the women’s choir and during Sunday school. The victims are now in their 20s and 30s. The other victims are both under 30.
“It’s very rare to encounter this situation,” Detective Sgt. Tim Drew told The Canadian Press. “I would like to reassure the public that we are taking this case very seriously and will continue to work with other law enforcement partners to make sure this individual is brought to justice.”
Staff-Sergeant Tania Sipowicz, who is overseeing the investigation, said the allegations were reported in December.