Bikers support boy during testimony against alleged abuser

UPDATE:  Mar. 22, 2017 – The B.C. Court of Appeal subsequently overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial.

PENTICTON, B.C. — A group of bikers makes a loud rumble as they travel through downtown streets, but once they park their motorcycles, they take on a silent role.

They’ve traveled  from Alberta for a week-long trial in Penticton, hoping their presence in the gallery will provide comfort for a young boy.

“We’re here to support the young gentleman who’s in court. That’s what we do, we support children who have been abused to show them that they’re not alone,” says Gordon Lentz, President of the Edmonton Chapter of Urban Bulldogs Against Kid Abuse (UBAKA).

The group was invited by the victim’s family.

The accused faces multiple sexual assault charges.

The boy testifies against his alleged abuser today.

“He begged to kiss my chest because it apparently helped me fall asleep,” says the victim, recalling an alleged incident.

The boy says they would sleep in the same bed together, and when he woke up, the man would have his hands in the victim’s pants.

The man also allegedly dared the victim to sleep naked, and the abuse reportedly escalated.

“He did weird things…It was discomforting and I didn’t like it,” testifies the victim.

“He told me not to tell anyone or else there’d be consequences, like taking my iPod.”

The iPod was a Christmas gift from the man. The accused also reportedly gave other expensive presents such as a snowboard for the boy’s birthday.

The victim eventually told his dad about the alleged assaults.

“I feel for him, he’s a strong, young man,” says Lentz. “We’re here to support him and hopefully we can get through this.”

The man denies the allegations. His defense will be presented in court later this week.