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t i:S : :w-y: ; .Li' 1 durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ May 24,2006 ♦ Page A5 Sunday school teacher acquitted of sex assault Judge questions man's 'childish - behaviour' BY JEFF MITCHELL Staff Writer OSHAWA - A Durham Sunday Sunday school icachcr has been acquitted of sexual assault by a judge who ruled it cannot be proven the man meant to touch a teenaged girl's breasts. But in acquitting 24-year-old David Rofaiel Friday morning, Ontario Court Justice Ronald Richards questioned the activity activity that led to the charges being laid.- "One has to wonder out loud why any grown man would participate participate in such childish behaviour," behaviour," Justice Richards said in delivering the verdict in an Osha- wa courtroom. During the course of a trial the judge heard from several witnesses, witnesses, including Mr. Rofaiel and his accuser, now 14, that he and the girl wound up having physical contact during horseplay after an evening youth group ses- , sion at the Rossland Ridge Bible Chapel in Ajax in June of 2005. Both testified that when the child threw a sponge ball at him Mr. Rofaiel, a youth group leader, chased her into an office and grabbed her from behind as she tried to back out of the room. Both agreed Mr. Rofaiel grabbed the girl as she sank to the floor. Mr. Rofaiel said he commenced to tickle the child and muss her hair before lotting her go; the girl said he groped her breasts briefly before letting go. Other children who were present present that night said the girl cried out for help and rushed from the building after the encounter. She told several of her friends Mr. Rofaiel had intentionally groped her, the judge heard. The teens'called to testify gave varying versions of events; none could say they saw Mr. Rofaiel intentionally touch the girl. When he testified, Mr. Rofaiel Rofaiel said such physical contact between youth group leaders and the youngsters they worked with was common. He said tickling and "noogics" were part of that horseplay. He allowed that he may have inadvertently touched the girl's breasts as they tussled. Justice Richards said the girl had testified honestly that she believed the touching was intentional. intentional. He noted many of Mr. Rofaiel's responses to direct questions about the incident were "evasive". "More is "required than proof the accused is probably guilty," Justice Richards said in acquitting acquitting the man. "The court cannot rule on unintentional unintentional touching." Outside court William West, a church elder who oversees youth programs, said the assembly had reviewed its policies regarding regarding contact among children and adults. "Obviously that's something we had to review and make sure the policies were solid," he said. "There arc guidelines as far as what's appropriate and what's inappropriate." Mr. West was among assembly members who packed courtrooms in support of Mr. Rofaiel as the trial unfolded; at times as many as three dozen people turned out, an extraordinary number for any court proceeding in Durham. In fact, it was church elders who first reviewed the allegations allegations against Mr. Rofaiel, determining determining no sexual assault had occurred. Durham Regional Police became involved after the girl's parents contacted them. The family has since left the church. Durham's Deputy given federal Order of Merit Rod Piukkula and 44 others honoured, at ceremony DURHAM - Rod Piukkula, the outgoing deputy chief of Durham Durham Regional Police, is being honoured with an Order of Merit by the federal government. Deputy Chief Piukkula was among 44 people being honoured Friday in Ottawa with the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, The citation is given to officers officers and police service employees who make extraordinary efforts to protect the community. community. . One of Deputy Chief Piukkala's many accomplishments was the establishment, in the wake of the terrorist of Sept. 11, 2001, of '•*« • "I Ron Piukkula attacks police services at Ontario Power Generation's Pickering and Darlington Darlington nuclear plants, the service said in a statement when he announced his plans to retire in March. The deputy is retiring after 34 years in policing, five of them spent with Durham Durham police. A retirement retirement dinner is scheduled for June 7. weekend weather makes for safe roads: police DURHAM - Cold, wet weather weather during the Victoria Day long weekend may actually have helped make roads safer, according according to Durham Regional Police. Officers patrolling the region's roads as part of a holiday weekend weekend safety blitz dubbed Operation: Cottage Bound laid 64 tickets for infractions such as speeding and aggressive driving. , Other charges were laid against a repeat offender found to be driving drunk, and a woman who .faces an assault rap after a confrontation confrontation with a cop. ; j : ■ ; Police said the officer became concerned about an infant sleeping sleeping in the back seat of the woman's woman's car with no child safety restraint. The driver became verbally verbally abusive, eventually striking the officer in the knee with her door, police said. < Above, Blayne and Mel the Lobby Resfauranf lit 1$p|| body' cheer at the launch of th^f "lastman's Bad Boy", Below, f ' * ebration were Mefroland Durham Region Media tit end Lostman's Bad Boy Director Whitby store General Manage* The original Bad Boy is back. That's right! Mel Lastman will once again be front and centre in the new rebranded company. Now called "Lastman's Bad Boy", it was announced at a party thrown at the Lobby Restaurant on Bloor St. W. in Toronto on Monday, May 15th. Mel's son Blayne, Bad Boy's Chairman and CEO, told the crowd of media, local celebrities, family, friends and co-workers that Toronto's formermayor was returning to the company as hon ourary Chairman, a company he founded in 1955. Familiar faces in the crowd included Maple Leaf Tie Domi, WWE's Carl DiMarco and Blue Jay's boss Paul Godfrey. The 73-year-old Mel will be taking centre stage once again in upcoming advertising campaigns shouting his famous slogan, "Who's better than Bad Boy? Nooobodyl!" Of course Mel had the crowd laughing especially when he took the podium. "When Blayne requested that I speak, he asked that I be short. What else could I be?" Mel sold the Bad Boy chain in 1975 to embark on a political career. The company declared bankruptcy in 1976 so Blayne and two partners, who have since been bought out, relaunched the name in 1991. There are currently currently five stores that include those in Whitby, Barrie, North York, Mississauga and Scarborough. Blayne announced that he hopes to open stores in Hamilton, London and Kitchener with future future plan to franchise additional stores. Mel servedas MayorofNorth York until he became mayor of the new Mega City of Toronto in 1997 serving two terms. After six years as mayor he decided not to run and retired in 2003. "But now I'm back at Bad Boy again." Si* mmmi H- Tj Ml m If - ! m « <* BIG BROTHERS & SISTERS OF CLARINGTON Many thanhs to the, community, ourvoCunteer atm sponsors for yourgenerous support of "Bowl For Kids'Sake" 2006 Jou made this year's campaign the most successful ever! . Monies raiseddirectCy support our mentoring programs for the children of Cbritgton. A special thanh/you to Ontario Tower generation ' • & Liberty (Bowt ONTARIOrGinrER GENERATION Thanh, you also to our sponsors: ; Laura Sciore ~ Co-operators/Mutton Insurance, Tpsalina's Tizzeria, Subway Sandmcftes, 9{grthcutt Etfiott funeralDdorne, graphic Lettering Service, Dartington Steet, Meridian, Mandetbaum SpergetInc., Municipality of Ctarington, St. Mary's Cement, & hooper's Trophy Centre. Thanh/ you also to focat businesses, beat schools, service clubs, churches, organizations, media, bowdng bagues and individuals forgeneroutsty supporting us each year. Çhallénge winners: Bank: League: Churches: Tyrone United Church Restaurants: Wendy's Service Clubs: Newcastle Lions 1 Elementary School: SI. Francis of Assisi Top Fundraiser: Gene Bab SUtClaringlon Firelighters Politicians: TeamOda Business & Industry: Dupont Municipality: Clarington Library Professionals: M>, Bate; Bergin,Hill Secondary School: Holy Trinity Tig (Brothers & Sisters of Ctarington would lihe. to extend sincere thumbs to the beatschoolsfor their tremendous support. Together they raised over $30,000for our mentoring programs. It is wonderfut to see children banting at an earty age the power of votunteerism and the benefits of giving bach/ to their community. DURHAM REGION Durham Region's Toilet Truckload Quantities Limited Sale 61 Toilet INSTANT R € 8 A T € PROGRAM One day only: Saturday, May 27, 8:00 am - 6:oo pm Brought to you by Durham Region, in partnership with Plumbing and Parts Home Centre 1650 Dundas Street East, Whitby (one block east of Thickson Rd.) * You must be a Durham Region Water Customer, and you must bring your water bill with you. 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Comfort height j Elongated bowl 3" flapper means a strong flush Biscuit $149 $189 $399 $469 $439 $499 $499 $499 $679 Truckload Sale Price N/A N/A $369 $429 $389 $459 $459 Your Cost After Instant Rebate $319 $379 $469 $629 $399 $419 $579 Cl)e Canadian ikategman There's lots more news online al durhamregion.com ■ All the water efficient fixtures on sale have been tested and proven using one of the toughest set of requirements anywhere in North America. ■ See operating display units to help you choose the toilet that best fits your home and budget. ■ Buy and install it yourself, or ask for a copy of the list of qualified contractors who can do the installation for you. ■ Any back orders will be filled within three business days, ■ m mmi