The Queen v. S.(D.) 2018

A woman went to the police and told them that her boyfriend of 18 years had routinely forced her to have sex with him against her will.  Predictably, the client was indicted for sexual assault.  After electing trial by judge and jury and requesting a preliminary inquiry, Mr. van der Walle wrote a detailed letter to the Crown in the days leading up to the preliminary inquiry outlining a number of problems with the complainant’s story.  Simply put, she appeared to have been coached by the investigating police officer whom she had known personally through her work as an ambulance attendant.  After reviewing the file, the Crown agreed to drop the sexual assault charge in exchange for the client entering into a peace bond that only required him to not have any further contact with his ex for a period of one year.  He was not required to report to a probation officer as on of the conditions.  As a result, the client avoided any criminal record for sexual assault or any other criminal offence.  Not guilty.  No trial necessary.