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.
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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.
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