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Trial of Alma man accused of sexual assault concludes, decision coming in November

['Summerside Provincial Courthouse.']
Summerside provincial court.

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SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — An Alma, P.E.I., man accused of raping a woman in a Prince County home in 2018 will find out his fate next week.  

Matthew Leo Dunbar, 34, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of sexual assault. He faced a trial by judge alone in P.E.I. Supreme Court in Summerside last week. Four other related but less serious charges were previously dealt with by the court. 

There is a publication ban in place for this case. It prohibits anyone from publicly sharing any information that could make the identity of the victim known.

The trial lasted for several days and involved a number of witnesses, including the alleged victim and Dunbar himself. 

The court heard that on the day of the alleged offence, the accused was visiting a home in Prince County. 

He and the victim were the only adults in the home at the time, though there were children sleeping in another part of the house. 

A sexual encounter took place between Dunbar and the complainant. 

She testified that Dunbar lured her into a room, overpowered and raped her. 

He testified that the sex was consensual, and it was actually the victim who initiated it. 

Justice Terri MacPherson will have to decide if the evidence proves beyond a reasonable doubt that it was indeed an assault that took place. 

MacPherson will return with her decision on Nov. 8. 


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