A Nova Scotia man whose sexual assault convictions were overturned by a Canadian court is reportedly now behind bars in Nepal after similar allegations.
Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh, 71, who was convicted of sexually assaulting boys in the 1970s and 1980s, allegedly forced a young boy in Nepal into having “unnatural sex” with him, according to a report from The Himalayan Times.
The report says police received a complaint from the boy’s family alleging MacIntosh lured the boy into a room he was renting on Dec. 13.
At least one man is not surprised by the new allegations against the businessman from Port Hawkesbury, N.S.
Bob Martin is one of four victims MacIntosh was convicted of assaulting in the 1970s and 1980s.
The convictions were later overturned.
“He’s a serial pedophile, he’s a serial abuser, he has destroyed lives and the collateral damage in Canada alone is profound,” said Martin, now a sexual abuse advocate.
“I think he will be charged there and sentenced there, and he may not like their jails and justice system the way he liked it here,” Martin said.
Martin said he believes there could more victims of MacIntosh who are afraid of coming forward.
“There are more victims there. We always knew there would be more victims in another country,” Martin said.
Nonetheless, Martin said it is good news that MacIntosh is incarcerated.
“Finally, some justice … too bad that Nepal has to be the country to put this man to rest in a jail, where he should be,” Martin said.
MacIntosh’s freedom from Canada is a prime example why many victims never do come forward, says Nova Scotia MLA Allan MacMaster.
“I think, for too long, victims have been given the short end of the stick,” said MacMaster, who represents Inverness for the Progressive Conservatives.
“Governments have to work extra hard to ensure the systems that are in place … are supportive of victims,” he said.
MacIntosh is currently listed as a director for a website called “The Spice Journal”.
Calls to police and Canada’s foreign affairs office for clarification of the situation were not returned.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Amanda Debison