Ont. man convicted of sexually abusing stepdaughter loses appeal

Warning: Details in this article may be disturbing and triggering to readers.

An Ottawa man convicted of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter when he lived in the Barrie area 20 years ago has lost his case at the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Richard Sticklee, 61, is behind bars after having his appeal, heard Friday by three judges of the Ontario Court of Appeal in Toronto, was dismissed.

The dismissal is the justice Trinity Waide thought she got two years ago in a Barrie courtroom when Sticklee, her former stepfather, was found guilty after a trial and sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting Waide when she was a child.

Sticklee argued Barrie trial judge, Justice Catriona Verner erred in finding there was a proven absence of motive when Waide came forward five years ago with the allegations Sticklee sexually abused her on at least four occasions, starting in 2000. Waide, the court heard, was between four and 10 years of age at the time.

Sticklee’s lawyer Howard Krongold argued in front of the Court of Appeal, “Motives can remain hidden,” and Justice Verner gave “undue weight to the known absence of motive” that “strongly bolstered” the Crown’s case.

Krongold told the Court of Appeal Waide was motivated to ultimately come forward years later by either “the family breakdown or revenge.”

Two years ago, Sticklee told the court he was battling cancer and had a tumour. He had been out on bail since Friday when he was taken into custody. The appeal sought to have Sticklee acquitted or be granted a new trial.

In a statement following the failed appeal, Krongold told CTV News Sticklee maintains his innocence, calling the decision “very disappointing,” saying Sticklee “will be reviewing all available legal avenues to challenge” the latest ruling.

In her victim impact statement two years ago, Waide told the court, “I called you dad. I trusted you. I loved you and I thought I was safe with you,” adding, “The monster didn’t live under my bed or in the closet, but down the hall.”

After Sticklee was found guilty, Waide successfully applied to remove the publication ban that concealed her identity as a survivor of sexual assault.

Waide did not wish to provide further comment on Sticklee’s appeal being dismissed.