Crown opts not to try man for sex with minor

Nova Scotia prosecutors have decided not to launch a new trial against one of two men who admitted to having sex with a 13-year-old girl.

Bradley Roderick Ross was initially convicted of sexual assault and sexual interference for an incident that happened in June of 2009. 

The girl, Ross and another man, Michael Roger Hindler, were riding in a minivan from Fall River to Halifax when the assaults occurred.  

At their trial, both men admitted to having sexual contact with the girl, but testified they thought she was 14, which was the age of consent at the time. The trial judge rejected that argument and convicted them.

Ross fired his lawyer and appealed his conviction. 

Earlier this year, the court of appeal ordered a new trial.  But the Crown has decided not to proceed. 

Crown Prosecutor Eric Taylor said there were several reasons for ending the case, including the time period since the offence, the likelihood of a minimum sentence in the event of a new conviction and the very real consequences Ross has already suffered.

Hindler did not appeal his conviction, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, which he served on weekends.