Ont. man accused of historical sex crimes involving young girls appears headed for trial

John Wilkinson, 61, accused of sexually assaulting young girls heard from complainants during a preliminary hearing inside Bradford courthouse.

Warning: Readers may find details in this article disturbing and triggering.

A Beeton, Ont. man accused of sexually assaulting young girls as far back as 2010 heard from complainants during a preliminary hearing inside a Bradford courtroom.

John Wilkinson, 61, is charged with several sex crimes after police said young women came forward to report they had been sexually assaulted by Wilkinson over several years.

Wilkinson is facing allegations of sexual assault and sexual interference from alleged incidents provincial police said took place in 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2019 involving girls as young as five.

Wilkinson was later charged with sexual assault when another complainant came forward to police. A two-day trial is set to begin next week in Bradford.

At the time of his arrests, those in the neighbourhood told CTV News Wilkinson offered to play the ‘tickle game’ with the girls.

The first set of historical charges were laid in September 2024 when investigators with Nottawasaga OPP said a young woman came forward alleging Wilkinson sexually assaulted her in Beeton when she was a child.

Police then arrested Wilkinson again about a month later when more complainants came forward to report Wilkinson had sexually assaulted them in separate incidents.

Wilkinson was charged with two counts each of sexual assault and sexual interference and the alleged sexual assault of another person. Investigators had appealed to the public for information in the case.

Any evidence heard during the preliminary hearing is protected by a publication ban along with the identities of complainants, who testified in court as Wilkinson looked on. The matter is set to move from the Ontario Court of Justice to the Superior Court with a next appearance scheduled later this month.

Wilkinson did not offer comment on the allegations, instead, he swatted at the camera as he entered and left the courthouse.

The allegations against John Wilkinson have not been tested in court.