A Westville man facing several sex-related charges involving children remains in custody following a court appearance in Windsor.
Brett Andrew MacBeth, 19, is charged with two counts of making child pornography; two counts of sexual touching involving a person under age 16 and two counts of sexual assault. It’s alleged he committed the offences in Kempt Shore between July 6 and 19, 2016, and between July 11 and 17, 2017.
MacBeth was present in Windsor provincial court in custody on Oct. 17. Reading of the charges was waived. The court ordered publication bans to protect the identities of two alleged victims. MacBeth was ordered to have no direct or indirect communication with two individuals.
MacBeth consented to being remanded in custody until Nov. 14 for a bail hearing and election and plea. Charges against MacBeth have not been proven in court.
On Oct. 11, the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit searched a home in Westville. With assistance from the RCMP Technological Crime Unit, the Westville Police Service, Pictou District RCMP, the RCMP Special Operations Tactical Search Team and the RCMP North East Nova Major Crime Unit, MacBeth was arrested at the home without incident.
The RCMP stated in an Oct. 13 news release that police are concerned that there may be other victims. Citizens are being asked to contact the RCMP Provincial ICE Unit at 902-720-5340 if they have any information.
In Nova Scotia, it’s mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography. This means that anyone who encounters child pornography in any form must report it to police. Failing to report suspicious activity and materials could result in penalties similar to failure to report child abuse as set out in the Children and Family Services Act.
The RCMP encourages citizens to be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting any suspected offences to local police or by using Canada’s National tip line for reporting online sexual exploitation of children at www.cybertip.ca.
