Ontario couple faces decades' old charges of sexual assault against children

A couple from Grimsby, Ontario were arrested and charged on Tuesday after it was alleged that they had sexually assaulted two children over thirty years ago.

The investigation into Raymond and Sandra Swash began after two women came forward with allegations in June.

On June 10, a woman contacted York Regional Police reporting that she had been sexually assaulted by the couple between 1987 and 1990. A second woman came forward two weeks later alleging that Mr. Swash had sexually assaulted her between 1992 and 1993.

At the time, the victims were between 13-17 and 13-14 years old, respectively.

According to CP24, Mr. Swash is facing "four counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual exploitation of a young person, sexual intercourse with a person under 14, sexual intercourse with a person between the ages of 14 and 15."

Mrs. Swash has been charged with "sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a young person."

According to a statement released by York Regional Police, both Mr. and Mrs. Swash were members of the Banfield Memorial Church in North York when the alleged incidents took place. Mr. Swash is said to have been a youth pastor and youth leader at the church, with both him and Mrs. Swash believed to have been involved with other religious groups in the area.

Both victims noted that the Swashs were members of their church at the time.

York Regional Police stated that sexual assault, which includes "includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature" has no statute of limitations, meaning perpetrators can be charged years, or even decades after the incident takes place.

York Regional Police are urging anyone with information about the ongoing investigation into the Swashs to come forward, as the allegations have not yet been proven in court.