Accused in chained-teen case granted bail

The third man charged in connection with the alleged confinement and sexual assault of a teenage boy in Nova Scotia has been granted bail in a Bridgewater courtroom.

John Leonard MacKean, 63, is charged with sexual assault and communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services from a person under 18.

MacKean, of Lower Sackville, was released on a $1,000 surety and conditions, including no internet or mobile access — including texting — unless it's for work purposes. He has been ordered not to have contact with anyone under the age of 18, unless he or she is a relative and another adult is present.

The 63-year-old man has also been told not to leave Nova Scotia, except to travel to Fredericton and Oromocto, N.B., to gather his belongings. MacKean was arrested earlier this week at a hotel in Fredericton.

MacKean is expected back in court on Jan. 23.

David James Leblanc, 47, is already on trial in the case. His co-accused, 31-year-old Wayne Alan Cunningham, was found dead in northern Ontario after a manhunt that lasted several days. Police had charged Cunningham with forcible confinement and assault.

The manhunt began after a 16-year-old boy told police he was kept at a house in Upper Chelsea, Lunenburg County, for eight days in September before he managed to escape. He said he walked more than a kilometre to a home seeking help.

The teenager had chains wrapped around his wrists and ankles, and was wearing only a hooded sweatshirt and a hat when he was found.