Police say their investigation began in early June when a woman came forward and claimed she had been sexually assaulted by the two suspects as a teenager while attending the same church as them. Investigators say the woman claimed the sexual assaults took place between 1987 and 1990, when she was between 13 and 17 years old. Police say a second woman came forward in late June and claimed she was sexually assaulted by the man between 1992 and 1993, when she was between 13 and 14 years old, and was a member of the same church as the suspect. Investigators say the 64-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman charged were members of Banfield Memorial Church in North York, and the man held positions as a youth pastor and youth leader in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Investigators say the two defendants may have been involved with several church groups in York and Niagara regions and possibly other jurisdictions, and are asking any additional victims to come forward. Police say the man faces multiple charges, including sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a young person and sexual intercourse with a person under 14. The woman is charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a young person. The Morning Update and Afternoon Update newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a concise summary of the day’s most important headlines. Sign up today.
