Former Sarnia fire chief's lawyer requests new trial be out of town

CTV London: Former fire chief in court After sexual abuse convictions against Patrick Cayen were overturned, details of a new trial are being ironed out in court.

After having 2015 sexual abuse convictions overturned by the Court of Appeal, former Sarnia Fire Chief Patrick Cayen was back in court Wednesday preparing for his new trial.

Cayen has always proclaimed his innocence.

Two years ago Cayen was convicted by a judge alone on more than 30 sexual abuse charges dating back over 30 years. But the convictions were overturned. Now the 58-year-old faces 24 sex-related offences against a single victim.

His lawyer Phil Millar argued the case before Justice Bruce Thomas Wednesday to have his new trial held before a judge and jury and out of town.

Thomas is expected to hand down his decision on whether Cayen can be tried by a judge and jury in the next couple of weeks. After that a new trial date will be set.

“A new date may be set in the fall with a trial in early 2018. We want this over with as soon as possible,” Millar said.