WEYBURN — The Weyburn Police Service (WPS) has announced a man has been charged with several sex-related offences involving minors.
According to a news release from the WPS, police received a complaint involving possible sexual offences against two girls. An investigation determined that a man had sexually assaulted both youths.
The WPS said the man has been arrested and charged with two counts each of sexual assault, sexual exploitation and incest, and one count of invitation to sexual touching.
The accused was held in custody and appeared before a judge in Estevan Provincial Court on June 1. He is slated to appear in Weyburn Provincial Court on June 2.
The WPS said a publication ban was ordered by the court. As a result, no names or identifying information can be released.
In other recent police news, a concerned citizen contacted police May 30 regarding an elderly woman who appeared to be in distress while walking near their residence. Officers attended, identified the woman and safely returned her to her family. The WPS said the family was extremely grateful for the assistance.
The WPS also saluted the compassion shown by members of the community and commended residents for looking out for each other.
"This is the second incident of this nature within the past two weeks," the WPS said.
The WPS said it has seen an increase in reports involving dogs running at large throughout the city. While some incidents involve friendly animals, others have involved dogs attempting to attack animals that were legally confined on their owners' property. The WPS reported charges have been laid in several occurrences.
Pet owners are reminded of their responsibility to ensure yards, gates and fences are secure to prevent animals from escaping and creating a risk to public safety.
The WPS said it observed a vehicle being driven in a manner that startled, distracted and interfered with other motorists and pedestrians. The WPS reported the driver had previously been charged more than five times over the past year for similar driving-related offences.
As a result, the driver received a seven-day licence suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
The WPS noted that while these penalties may seem severe, they reflect the seriousness of repeated dangerous driving behaviour. The WPS reminds motorists that continued disregard for traffic laws can result in significant consequences designed to improve public safety.
Also, according to the WPS, recent vandalism at River Park Campground has resulted in the public washrooms being permanently closed to general public use.
"Public property belongs to the entire community, and damage or theft affects more than just the asset itself," the WPS said in its weekly report. "Acts of vandalism create unnecessary costs, consume staff resources, and can result in reduced access to public spaces and services."
The Weyburn Police Service also reminds the public that tampering with or removing traffic control devices is a serious offence. This includes stop, yield, street and construction signs.
"Removing or damaging these devices creates significant safety risks for motorists, pedestrians and workers," the WPS said.
Residents are encouraged to report vandalism, damaged signs or missing traffic control devices so that safety concerns can be addressed as quickly as possible.
Anyone with information regarding any of these matters, or any other matter of a criminal nature, is encouraged to contact the Weyburn Police Service at 306-848-3250, the local RCMP detachment at 310-7267 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The WPS said it responded to 72 calls for service from May 24-31.
