Namelessone
23-01-2009, 06:39 PM
Drug dealer denies sexually exploiting 12-year-old
By SAM PAZZANO, COURTS BUREAU
A crack-addicted dealer has admitted he supplied drugs at a Rexdale flophouse where a developmentally challenged girl was used for sex and given cocaine.
But Harold Cover, who was given a suspended sentence on top of the equivalent of a four-year prison sentence for trafficking between November 2005 and November 2006, never engaged in "sexual misconduct" nor fed the then 12-year-old crack, court heard.
"It would have been an extremely difficult prosecution given the child's age and drug exposure," said Crown attorney Laura Bird in explaining why the Crown withdrew the sexual charges.
"Mr. Cover makes no admission to sexual misconduct," lawyer Stephen Gehl said.
Justice John McMahon said Cover is "presumed innocent throughout and the charges are withdrawn."
ABUSED BY VISITORS
Cover, a former restaurant owner and music promoter, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was placed on two years probation. A grandfather of eight and father of four, he was ordered not to be alone with a child under 16 without the written permission of the child's parent.
Police initially indicated that the 12-year-old girl was sexually exploited by male visitors who frequented her home and used it as a crack den. No one was convicted.
Sexual assault charges against six men were withdrawn earlier.
Two weeks ago, the girl's mom was given a 13-month conditional sentence for "corrupting her child."
The 43-year-old mother of three admitted she "corrupted" the now 15-year-old girl -- who reads at a Grade 2 level -- by exposing her to crack users who exploited her.
But the mom neither pimped the girl nor fed her cocaine, although the crack-addicted woman was told by the girl she'd been sexually exploited. The mom believed the abusers' denials and continued to let them into her home.
So this guy was dealing crack to deadbeats and possibly children at a restaurant where a teenage mentally handicap girl was being fed cocaine and sexually molested and he got 2 years probation?
I tell ya right now guys. Remember these words... "Case Law"..... because cases like this can play a major role in getting off a trafficking of steroids charge. I'm amazed at how lax our laws really are here...
By SAM PAZZANO, COURTS BUREAU
A crack-addicted dealer has admitted he supplied drugs at a Rexdale flophouse where a developmentally challenged girl was used for sex and given cocaine.
But Harold Cover, who was given a suspended sentence on top of the equivalent of a four-year prison sentence for trafficking between November 2005 and November 2006, never engaged in "sexual misconduct" nor fed the then 12-year-old crack, court heard.
"It would have been an extremely difficult prosecution given the child's age and drug exposure," said Crown attorney Laura Bird in explaining why the Crown withdrew the sexual charges.
"Mr. Cover makes no admission to sexual misconduct," lawyer Stephen Gehl said.
Justice John McMahon said Cover is "presumed innocent throughout and the charges are withdrawn."
ABUSED BY VISITORS
Cover, a former restaurant owner and music promoter, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was placed on two years probation. A grandfather of eight and father of four, he was ordered not to be alone with a child under 16 without the written permission of the child's parent.
Police initially indicated that the 12-year-old girl was sexually exploited by male visitors who frequented her home and used it as a crack den. No one was convicted.
Sexual assault charges against six men were withdrawn earlier.
Two weeks ago, the girl's mom was given a 13-month conditional sentence for "corrupting her child."
The 43-year-old mother of three admitted she "corrupted" the now 15-year-old girl -- who reads at a Grade 2 level -- by exposing her to crack users who exploited her.
But the mom neither pimped the girl nor fed her cocaine, although the crack-addicted woman was told by the girl she'd been sexually exploited. The mom believed the abusers' denials and continued to let them into her home.
So this guy was dealing crack to deadbeats and possibly children at a restaurant where a teenage mentally handicap girl was being fed cocaine and sexually molested and he got 2 years probation?
I tell ya right now guys. Remember these words... "Case Law"..... because cases like this can play a major role in getting off a trafficking of steroids charge. I'm amazed at how lax our laws really are here...