R. v. Ahsan

R. v. Ahsan

Although the complainant had capacity to consent, significant credibility and reliability issues (intoxication, faded and inconsistent recollections, conflicting evidence) left the judge with a reasonable doubt on the critical issue of consent; accordingly the accused was acquitted of sexual assault.

Citation
2021 NSSC 239
Parties
Crown: Her Majesty the Queen; Accused: Shuntaro Ahsan
Court
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
27 August 2021
Procedural Posture
Criminal Sexual Assault / Trial Decision
Outcome
Acquitted
Legal Topics
Sexual Assault, Consent, Capacity to Consent, Intoxication, Credibility and Reliability, DNA Evidence, SANE Examination
Source Language
English

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Parties

Her Majesty the Queen

Crown

Shuntaro Ahsan

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal Sexual Assault / Trial Decision

  1. 1 Whether the complainant consented to the sexual activity
  2. 2 Whether the complainant lacked capacity to consent due to intoxication
  3. 3 Assessment of credibility and reliability of complainant and accused

Ratio Decidendi

Although the complainant had capacity to consent, significant credibility and reliability issues (intoxication, faded and inconsistent recollections, conflicting evidence) left the judge with a reasonable doubt on the critical issue of consent; accordingly the accused was acquitted of sexual assault.

Court Disposition

Acquitted