Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trial Of Man Charged With Child Porn Over Sex Doll Hears Closing Arguments

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 May, 2019 08:22 PM

    ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The lawyer for a St. John's man facing child pornography charges over a sex doll took aim Monday at a Crown expert witness, saying his research was biased.


    Fifty-four-year-old Kenneth Harrisson faces charges of possessing child pornography, mailing obscene matter, and two charges under the federal Customs Act of smuggling and possession of prohibited goods.


    In closing arguments before provincial court Judge Mark Pike, Harrisson’s lawyer, Bob Buckingham, highlighted the unprecedented, sensitive nature of the long-running case before addressing the testimony of forensic psychiatrist Peter Collins.


    He accused Collins of improper, biased research and called him a "hired gun" for the police and Crown, who only sought information that supported his beliefs about Harrisson's motivations.


    Collins testified in 2017 that the doll seized by the Canada Border Services Agency was the size of a child. He said it met the definition of child pornography and that such items appeal to a "pedophiliac subculture."


    Buckingham took issue with the fact that the intercepted sex doll was never fully assembled, casting doubt over whether Harrisson had really ordered a child-sized doll.


    He also said the web page Harrisson placed the order from would have changed by the time it was viewed by investigators, arguing this makes the website unreliable evidence.


    The complicated case, which raises the issue of what constitutes child pornography if no real child was involved, has been working its way through court for years.


    Harrisson testified Monday that he did not intend to have sex with the doll and that he had ordered it for companionship to replace his son, who died as an infant.


    He ordered the doll from Japan in 2013 and it was intercepted on its way to his St. John's home.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Family Sues Marriott Chain After Father, Toddler Drowned At Montreal Hotel

    Family Sues Marriott Chain After Father, Toddler Drowned At Montreal Hotel
    William Tchouamou Ganjui and his two-year-old son Menelik fell into the deep end of the pool at the Residence Inn by Marriott in downtown Montreal in April 2016.    

    Family Sues Marriott Chain After Father, Toddler Drowned At Montreal Hotel

    Appeal Of Ruling Suspends Assault Trial For Ex-Afghanistan Hostage Joshua Boyle

    Boyle has pleaded not guilty in Ontario court to offences against his wife Caitlan Coleman, including assault, sexual assault and unlawful confinement.

    Appeal Of Ruling Suspends Assault Trial For Ex-Afghanistan Hostage Joshua Boyle

    Early Data Suggests No Post-Legalization Spike In Drug-Impaired Driving Charges

    Early Data Suggests No Post-Legalization Spike In Drug-Impaired Driving Charges
    VANCOUVER — Canadian police say they haven't been busting many more stoned drivers six months after legalization, but they are reminding drivers to keep cannabis out of reach.

    Early Data Suggests No Post-Legalization Spike In Drug-Impaired Driving Charges

    Doc Who Sexually Assaulted Sedated Patients 'Not Credible:' Parole Board Says

    Doc Who Sexually Assaulted Sedated Patients 'Not Credible:' Parole Board Says
    In written reasons released this week, the board repeatedly noted that Dr. George Doodnaught showed little insight into his crimes committed at a north Toronto hospital.    

    Doc Who Sexually Assaulted Sedated Patients 'Not Credible:' Parole Board Says

    'We Want To Be Good Neighbours:' Pot Plant Deals With Stink At Edmonton Airport

    'We Want To Be Good Neighbours:' Pot Plant Deals With Stink At Edmonton Airport
    Aurora Cannabis, the company that operates the facility, is going to great lengths to mitigate any pot odour wafting over to the airport, as well as local hotels and outlet stores.  

    'We Want To Be Good Neighbours:' Pot Plant Deals With Stink At Edmonton Airport

    B.C. Sikh Men Put on Canada's Secret No-Fly List, Challenge Its Constitutionality In Court

    B.C. Sikh Men Put on Canada's Secret No-Fly List, Challenge Its Constitutionality In Court
    It is viewed as the Trudeau-led federal government’s “attempt to appease” the Narendra Modi-led Indian government post Canadian PM’s controversial February 2018 Indian sojourn.

    B.C. Sikh Men Put on Canada's Secret No-Fly List, Challenge Its Constitutionality In Court