A 63-year-old Yorkton businessman will face trial for allegedly sexually assaulting two girls under the age of 16.
Ross Yannoulis was charged with two counts of sexual assault in June 2015 after one of the alleged victims mentioned something to her mother at supper and the parent brought her daughter to the RCMP. The woman and girls cannot be name due to a publication ban.
Following a preliminary hearing December 6, Judge Ross Green ruled the Crown has enough evidence to proceed.
During the hearing, prosecutor Andy Wyatt played video statements the alleged victims, then aged six and 13 years respectively, gave to the RCMP shortly after they came forward.
Melville defence attorney Merv Ozirny had an opportunity to cross-examine the girls, but evidence presented at the preliminary hearing may not be reported, also because of a publication ban.
Yannoulis pleaded not guilty in September 2015 and elected to be tried at Court of Queen’s bench, triggering the preliminary hearing. The hearing was originally scheduled for March 30, 2016, but was adjourned several times for various reasons.
A date of the trial has yet to be set.
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