LLOYDMINSTER Defence for a 40-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting children and possessing child pornography asked the court for an adjournment saying they are still receiving disclosure.
Joseph Sproull of Marshall wasn't required to appear in Lloydminster court Monday and Judge Kim Young adjourned the matter to Feb. 28.
Sproull who was residing at a home-based day care at the time of the alleged offences is charged with 11 child pornography and sexual assault offences.
RCMP alleges Sproull uploaded child pornography videos online and the images depicted three young children being assaulted. According to court documents, the alleged incidents occurred between Aug. 26, 2020, and March 12, 2021, at or near Marshall. The RCMP didn’t release the ages of the victims to protect their identity.
Saskatchewan Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) and Maidstone RCMP had raided a daycare residence on 1st Avenue East in Marshall July 14, 2021. Police say they found images of unidentified children being sexually assaulted by a man. The police investigation determined that the home-based day care was operating where Sproull lived. Investigators alerted the Government of Saskatchewan Ministry of Education the same day. The ministry suspended the day care’s licence two days later and advised all parents.
Sproull was released on bail in September.
The charges against him haven’t been proven in court.
Anyone who suspects they or their child has been a victim, or has information about these incidents, is asked to call North Battleford RCMP Provincial General Investigation Section at 306-446-1615.
Anyone requiring support from this investigation is asked to contact the Midwest Victim Services Program at 780-874-5021.
