N.S. court acquits former principal in historical sexual assault case

A former Nova Scotia school principal has been found not guilty in a historical sexual assault case.

Judge Christine Driscoll announced her decision Monday morning in provincial court in Halifax.

A woman accused Steve Hutchins, 59, of giving her an open-mouthed kiss and touching her body at a social function at a home in Hammonds Plains when she was 14.

"I remember being very taken aback and the salient memory was his mouth on mine and me feeling shocked and surprised," the woman testified during the trial in September. She also said that she did not consent to any of the alleged contact.

Hutchins testified in his own defence. While he acknowledged that he and the complainant had attended functions at that home, he denied all of her allegations.

"I'm asserting that day didn't happen," he said. "I'm absolutely able to say it didn't occur."

Driscoll said that while she found the complainant's testimony to be straightforward and direct and credible, she was left with some doubt and so had to acquit Hutchins.

The woman did not go to police until stories surfaced about charges laid against Hutchins involving another woman. Those charges will be the subject of another trial that is now set for next March.

The woman in that second case told her story to CBC News last year, shortly after the charges were announced.

The woman in the case decided on Monday said she was initially hesitant to come forward, in part because she thought the allegation she was making against Hutchins might be considered trivial.

She said she was also worried that her complaint could jeopardize Hutchins's pending marriage to Karen Johnston, who during the trial was referred to by the hyphenated last name Johnston-Hutchins.

When the complainant said she couldn't remember some of the details, Johnston-Hutchins made a video of the home where it was alleged to have taken place and shared that video with the woman.

Don Murray, Hutchins's lawyer, described Johnston-Hutchins as a "busybody" in his closing arguments.

Driscoll said Johnston-Hutchins's efforts could "muddy the waters."

Hutchins had no comment as he left court.