Case against former deaf assoc. president accused of sex crimes could be headed to trial

Historical sexual assault case in court The Crown and defence appeared to have been at odds over what will happen next in a historical sex crimes case involving a deaf camp leader.

The resolution of historical sexual assault allegations against the former president of the Toronto Association for the Deaf appears uncertain, as the defence and Crown seem to now be at odds on what will happen next.

Steve Burrows, now 56, was arrested last year, accused of historical sex crimes, including sexual assault and exploitation, at the Ontario Camp of the Deaf in Seguin Township about 23 years ago in 2001.

Burrows was then charged a few months later, facing similar counts in Toronto with allegations dating back to 1997.

On Monday in a Parry Sound courtroom, the Crown indicated that the case may be going to trial and is seeking further pretrial dates.

Police have said they believed there may have been other victims and appealed to the deaf community, releasing a video in American Sign Language, asking anyone with information to come forward.

Investigators confirmed that at least two individuals have since contacted police with similar allegations.

Police said when Burrows worked at the camp, he was also a teaching assistant at E.C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton.

Investigators remind the public there is no statute of limitations for sexual assault allegations, and potential victims of sex crimes who are members of the deaf community will be accommodated with an American Sign Language or deaf interpreter.

The matter is scheduled to return to a Parry Sound courtroom in mid-November for a judicial pretrial.

The allegations against Burrows have not been tested in court.