FORMER RCMP Inspector Tim Shields, who was a high profile spokesperson for the force, was on Wednesday found not guilty in Vancouver Provincial Court of sexually assaulting a civilian employee in a unisex washroom in 2009 at RCMP headquarters in B.C.
The defence argued that the sex was consensual, while Crown said Shields had a mistaken belief about consent.
The judge found both versions of events plausible. However, he pointed out that a criminal trial was not a credibility contest and the Crown had to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The complainant cannot be identified because of a court order.
http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/downloads/news/R%20v%20Shields%20-%20Reasons%20for%20Judgment.pdf
