Ont. police officer's spouse charged in historical sexual assault case involving a child
Warning: Details in this article may be disturbing or triggering to some readers.
CTV News is learning more about disturbing allegations of sexual assault from 14 years ago in Beeton involving the husband of a Peel Regional police officer.
John Wilkinson, 59, was arrested and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference involving a five-year-old girl in 2010 following an investigation launched last month.
"The victim came forward and identified the accused as John Wilkinson," claimed OPP Const. Isabella Andrade.
Police confirmed the accused and the girl lived in the same neighbourhood in Beeton in 2010.
Neighbours said they are horrified by the accusations and concerned about their safety.
"Because his wife is a police officer, and some of the people that are involved in this are scared of her," said neighbour David Hawkes.
Wilkinson's wife Tracy has been a member of Peel Regional Police for 26+ years. Those who know her say she's currently on leave.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Hawkes claims these and other similar allegations of inappropriate touching of children are not new.
"[My daughter] came home one night and had some issues, and she talked to my wife, and after that she was never to sleep over there again. That's when she was very young and that. He told my daughter he wanted to play the tickle game," Hawkes alleges.
"They're children who know that, you know, they're not supposed to be treated that way, but yet they're afraid to tell their parents, and I'm so happy that they finally, finally came out and spoke out," said neighbour Lisa Alonzi.
Police urge anyone who may be a survivor of historical or more recent sexual crimes to report it.
"If there are any other victims, please come forward," encouraged Andrade.
The allegations against Wilkinson have not been tested in court. He is scheduled for his next court appearance in Bradford later this month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluoride in drinking water poses enough risk to merit new EPA action, judge says
A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to further regulate fluoride in drinking water because high levels could pose a risk to the intellectual development of children.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increase risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
America votes: How the election could impact the Canada-U.S. border
While America's southern border remains a hot button issue on the campaign trail, the result of the U.S. election in November could also impact the northern frontier with Canada, which remains the longest undefended border in the world.
'Oct. 7 changed us': Palestinian Canadians with family in Gaza mark a year of war
Fedaa Nassar says any time she has heard the phone ring in the last year, she becomes overwhelmed with anxiety.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies and bats
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
One year in, war casts a shadow over every aspect of life in Israel
As Israel's war with Hamas reaches its one-year mark, it can seem on the surface that much of life in the country has returned to normal. But with many still reeling from Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, hostages remaining in captivity and a new front of war with Hezbollah in the north, many Israelis feel depressed, despondent and angry as the war stretches into its second year.
Missing B.C. climber died from fall on Mount Baker, medical examiner says
The body of a British Columbia mountain climber has been located and recovered after the 39-year-old man was reported missing during a solo climb on Washington state's Mount Baker earlier this week.
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.