CALGARY- The case of a former Calgary police officer accused of sexually abusing a girl was scheduled back in court on Thursday—and his alleged victim’s family is furious that he did not show up.
Stephen Huggett remains out on bail, after being charged with sexual touching of a child under 14. He was previously convicted of possessing child pornography, and arrested for sexual assault with a firearm.
But on Thursday, his lawyer appeared in court on his behalf.
“I’m thoroughly disgusted with the fact he is out on bail,” says the alleged victim’s estranged father, who came to court to see Huggett. “I was really hoping he would show his face in court this morning, obviously he’s a coward for not showing up.”
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“Dave” says he has only seen his daughter a few times since she was a toddler, but says she confided in him about being abused several years ago.
“She gave me some pretty vivid descriptions of what happened,” he remembers. “It got to a point where I had to tell her to stop because I just couldn’t mentally handle what she was telling me.”
Defence lawyer Alain Hepner says there is still a lot of work to be done in the case.
“The Crown told the judge there’s a great deal of information to be obtained—it’s voluminous.”
The alleged victim’s father says he hopes it will wrap up quickly, for his daughter’s sake.
“If anything, to save my daughter from going on the witness stand and explaining to a whole bunch of strangers what went on.”
The case has been put over until September 26.
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