More sex charges for man awaiting sentencing
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on November 19, 2021.
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews A man awaiting sentencing in Medicine Hat has been charged with more sexual offences. Claudio Tovar Aguilar, 55, pled guilty to several counts of sexual assault last January, but recently argued the pleas should be withdrawn because legal advice was not properly translated into Spanish. Justice Eric Brooks ruled against him and upheld the guilty pleas, including two counts each of sexual assault and unlawful confinement. A new sentencing date of Jan. 14, 2022 was set on Thursday. The same proceedings saw him denied bail on five new charges that were laid in late September. Medicine Hat police allege that between late 2008 and early 2012 the man had sexual contact with two minors and have charged him with two counts each of sexual assault, sexual contact with person under the age of 16 and sexual counselling of a person under 16. Tovar-Aquilar has been in custody since late 2019 when he was arrested after police saw him struggling with a woman near his vehicle. In early 2020, the Medicine Hat Police Service announced additional charges and said publicity around the arrest led other complainants to come forward. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the original charges. 10-9
