NL man says he was 12 and mowing lawns for pocket money when Humby first abused him

Tony Humby’s trial paused after complainant falls ill; NL man says abuse began age 12 after he mowed Humby’s lawn, continued for years

Warning: This story contains details of alleged sexual assault that may be disturbing to readers

The tenth complainant at accused predator Tony Humby’s sexual assault trial finished his testimony Thursday, but did not show up Friday to be cross-examined.

Prosecutor Deidre Badcock told the court the man was “quite upset” when he left the St. John’s courtroom at the end of the day Nov. 20, having grown frustrated with the pace of proceedings.

“Officers had offered him a ride here this morning and haven’t been able to locate him,” Badcock told provincial court Judge Rolf Pritchard as the trial was scheduled to resume Friday morning. “I have officers trying to locate him.”

When court returned in the afternoon, Badcock said the complainant had been found, but was ill with a fever. He’s set to return to court on Monday and has asked to attend proceedings by video from another room in the courthouse, as other complainants have done.

It’s not yet clear whether defence lawyer Mark Gruchy will agree to that application or contest it.

‘I was scared’

The complainant testified he was 12 years old and looking to make some pocket money mowing lawns when he first visited Humby’s east end house.

He said he had previously met Humby, who was related to a family friend, but didn’t know much about the man, who had agreed to hire him to cut his grass.

The complainant said once he was done with the yardwork, he went inside Humby’s house to get his pay. He said Humby took him into a bedroom and offered him money for sexual acts before raping him.

“Was there any discussion before that happened?” Badcock asked. “Any discussion about your age?”

“No, there wasn’t,” the complainant replied.

He said he went home and told his mother that night what Humby had done. She told him to call the police, but he didn’t.

“I was scared,” he testified.

There were other assaults over the next few years, the man told the court, speaking briefly of living for a period of that time in a group home.

He recalled a day when he was 14 or 15 and rode his bike over to Humby’s with a friend, where they drank white Russians, smoked cigarettes and ordered pizza.

He said he was drunk and throwing up when Humby carried him from the bathroom to the bedroom and raped him.

The next day, Humby offered to drive him home.

Humby allegedly did similar things on another night after having a birthday party for the complainant, complete with friends, drinks, supper, a homemade birthday cake, and a card.

The complainant said he visited Humby’s home several times over the years, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow or just hanging out with other teens.

SOURCE: SALTWIRE