By Tim Petruk
Kamloops This Week
The fate of a Barriere man accused of sexually assaulting a 96-year-old woman in her home last year is now in the hands of a judge.
Brian Byung Koo Lee stood trial last week in Kamloops provincial court on one count of sexual assault stemming from an alleged attack on the elderly woman in August.
The woman, whose name is protected by a court-ordered publication ban, said Lee, 61, entered her home and aggressively fondled and kissed her.
“Only her and Mr. Lee were present at the time of this incident and it is my submission the court should consider her evidence very, very likely,” Crown prosecutor Frank Caputo said in his closing argument on Friday, April 28.
“The primary question is did that happen? We’re dealing with the evidence of a 97-year-old woman who, I think we all can agree, presented very youthfully. Can a person be mistaken about somebody placing their hand down her blouse, their hand in her midsection, somebody forcibly kissing her and somebody placing her hand in an unwanted place? That is the question.”
Lee testified in his own defence and denied the assault. He said he went to the woman’s house to inquire about a vehicle her son was repairing for him.
Court was shown photos appearing to depict injuries to the woman.
Lawyers will meet next week to set a date for Kamloops provincial court Judge Chris Cleaveley’s decision.
