A judge has halted all accusations in the Winnipeg sexual assault case involving Peter Nygard, a disgraced fashion tycoon. The judge found that Nygard’s right to a fair trial under the Charter was violated due to police negligence in maintaining records concerning allegations dating back to the 1990s.
Nygard, who appeared via video link in a Winnipeg courtroom, faced accusations of sexual assault and unlawful confinement from an incident in November 1993 involving complainant April Telek. The identity of the complainant was previously shielded under a publication ban, which was lifted per Telek’s request following the judge’s ruling.
During the investigation initiated by Winnipeg police in 2020, it was revealed that crucial records related to Telek’s interactions with law enforcement officials were likely purged from police systems. Nygard, currently serving a sentence in Ontario for another sexual assault case, reacted positively to the decision, expressing relief that the charges were dropped.
Nygard’s lawyer successfully argued for a stay of the proceedings, emphasizing the lack of documentation from officers who interviewed the complainant in 1993. The judge highlighted the importance of addressing challenges posed by historical sexual assault allegations while upholding the rights of both the accused and victims.
This recent violation of Nygard’s rights marks the second instance in this case, following a previous finding that a review ordered by Manitoba’s former attorney general constituted a serious abuse of process. The prosecutor handling the case mentioned the complexity of the legal issues involved and acknowledged the capable representation by the defense counsel.
Despite facing pending legal matters in Montreal and Ontario, Nygard remains resolute in denying all allegations against him. The decision to halt the charges in the Winnipeg case underscores the significance of maintaining proper record-keeping practices to ensure justice in cases of historical sexual offenses.