Editor’s Note: The charges against Dennis Smith were withdrawn May 4, 2017.
An arrest warrant has been issued for 26-year-old Darrell Herne, who is accused of sexual assault and sexual interference of a 14-year-old girl.
He is one of four men charged with sexually assaulting the teen at a party late last year in the community of Bible Hill, N.S.
“On November 22, a house party happened in Bible Hill, and on December 18 we received a complaint from a 14-year-old female who said she had been sexually assaulted by four adult men at that house party,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jennifer Clarke.
Neither Herne’s lawyer, the courts or police know his current location.
His lawyer told the court that he wanted to withdraw from the case.
“They’ve issued a warrant for his arrest so they’ll find him and hold him until he comes back to court to try to move the process forward,” said Al Bègin, lawyer for one of the men.
Dennis Smith, 23, and Matthew Grover, 27, appeared in person in Truro Provincial Court on Wednesday morning.
Kyle Carter, 21, was represented by legal counsel.
During proceedings, lawyers for the men decided to separate their cases.
“It used to be everyone charged together, but now they’ve split up for two people on one side and two on the other. I assume they’re hoping that some will testify against the others and that’s why they’ve done that,” Bègin said.
The men are being charged with sexual interference because someone under the age of 14 cannot consent to sexual relations with anyone more than two years older than them.
RCMP officials said the charges were laid following a complex and extensive investigation.
“I can’t imagine the impact of an incident like this on someone’s life, particularly someone who’s so young,” said Cpl. Clarke.
“Being-14 years-old, those are very serious charges.”
The name of the victim is protected under a publication ban.
The case is scheduled to return to Truro Provincial Court on June 6.
At that time, the men are expected to set dates for their preliminary hearing.
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